Mavs continue road trip in Miami

The Mavericks are in sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race, one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Miami is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, one game in back of the Milwaukee Bucks.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two squads. On November 3rd, Dallas beat the Heat, 103-93, at American Airlines Center.

Dallas is 1-2 on its current road swing. The Mavericks lost their second straight game on Wednesday, as they fell to the Indiana Pacers, 103-99, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Dirk Nowitzki had 22 points and seven boards for the Mavericks, who played Indiana without guard Michael Finley.

Finley has a strained right calf and is expected to miss tonight’s game.

Antoine Walker contributed 15 points and 11 boards, while Antawn Jamison also had 15 points in the loss. Steve Nash finished with 13 points and a game-high 14 assists for Dallas.

Nowitzki has scored 21 or more points in six straight games. He has averaged 26.5 points in that span.

The Mavericks are 14-22 as the visitor this season.

Miami comes into tonight’s game on a season-high six-game winning streak. On Wednesday, Eddie Jones poured in 28 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Heat past the Orlando Magic, 105-90, on at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Dwyane Wade collected 24 points and seven assists in the win for the Heat, while Lamar Odom contributed 20 points and 14 boards. Miami’s Rafer Alston sank a three-pointer in the final minute against Orlando and has made at least one three-point shot in 37 consecutive contests, which is a franchise record.

The Heat are an impressive 24-12 at home this season.

Dallas has won three straight and six of its last seven contests with the Heat. The Mavericks have won three straight after losing their last 10 at Miami.