Mavericks host LeBron and Cavs

Cleveland is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot. Dallas is in sixth place in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind Memphis.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two clubs. On February 18th, the Mavericks beat the Cavaliers, 114-98, at Gund Arena.

The Cavaliers lost on Monday to the San Antonio Spurs, 101-93, at the SBC Center. Cleveland got 18 points apiece from rookie phenom LeBron James and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, while Lee Nailon finished with 15 points off the bench.

Cleveland, which has dropped five of its last six games, is just 11-25 on the road this season. The Cavaliers are 7-4 in Tuesday games.

On Sunday, Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, as the Mavericks rolled to a 118-88 triumph over the Orlando Magic on Sunday at TD WaterHouse Centre. Antawn Jamison came off the bench to net 21 for the Mavericks, who snapped a three- game losing streak. Marquis Daniels added 20 and Josh Howard pitched in 19 points to go along with his 12 rebounds.

Guard Michael Finley is expected to return to the Mavs’ lineup tonight after missing three games with a strained calf.

Jamison has scored in double digits in six straight games. He has averaged 18 points in that span.

Dallas is an impressive 30-5 at home this season. The Mavericks are 10-3 in Tuesday games.

The Mavericks have won six straight over the Cavaliers, who have lost three in a row at Dallas.