Mavs host Knicks at American Airlines Center

With 11 games left on their schedule, the Southwest Division-leading Mavericks own a seven-game edge over Phoenix for the best mark in the West. On Wednesday, Dallas tied a franchise record with its 60th win of the season after a 105-103 victory over Milwaukee.

Jason Terry scored 27 points and hit the go-ahead free throw with 29.8 seconds left to help Dallas overcome injuries to Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard.

Nowitzki hit for 17 points, but twisted his left ankle with 3:42 left in the second quarter and then came back out to play only 1:04 of the third quarter before departing again.

Howard, meanwhile, also scored 17, but hobbled off the court with 2:31 left after hurting his right ankle. Both Nowitzki and Howard are probable for tonight.

Jerry Stackhouse added 21 points and also hit a foul shot with 11.9 seconds left for the Mavs, who won their eighth straight game overall.

Dallas is an amazing 32-4 at home, having won 25 of its last 26 at American Airlines Center. The club next hits the road for three games, beginning in Phoenix on Sunday.

Unlike the Mavs, New York is fighting for its playoff life. The club defeated Cleveland, 97-93 on Wednesday, but is still 1 1/2 games behind Orlando for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Eddy Curry scored 25 points, while Stephon Marbury notched 16 points and eight assists for New York, which ended a four-game losing streak. Channing Frye also netted 16, while Nate Robinson added 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

The win was bittersweet for the already-shorthanded Knicks, as guard Steve Francis left in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle. Forward David Lee (sore right leg/ankle) and guard Quentin Richardson (sore lower back) both remained sidelined. Lee has missed 15 of New York’s last 17 games, while Richardson has sat out seven straight.

Francis and Richardson are doubtful for tonight, while Lee is out indefinitely.

New York is 12-22 on the road, having lost six of its last eight as the visitor, and will play at the Hornets on Saturday.

Dallas posted a 92-77 win over the Knicks in New York on March 20, and has won nine of the last 10 games in the series. The Knicks have lost six in a row as the visitor in the series.