Dallas Mavericks Team Report - April 5

(Basketball News) - The Dallas Mavericks start a four-game homestand on Tuesday, as they welcome the Orlando Magic to American Airlines Center. Orlando defeated Dallas, 94-84, at TD Waterhouse Centre on November 9th to snap a three-game series losing streak. The Magic have lost in their last six trips to Dallas.

Dallas hopes to bounce back after having a four-game winning streak snapped in Sunday’s 100-80 loss at Cleveland. LeBron James finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Cavaliers.

Dirk Nowitzki led the way for Dallas with 21 points and Jerry Stackhouse scored 16 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who had won eight of their previous nine contests. Michael Finley and Jason Terry had 13 points apiece in the losing effort.

The Mavs have clinched a playoff berth in the Western Conference, and sit comfortably in fourth place. Fifth-place Sacramento is five games behind them in the standings.

Dallas will host the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies in the other games on the current homestand. The Mavericks will play San Antonio on Thursday, Utah on Saturday and the Grizzlies next Monday.

The All-Star Nowitzki has scored more than 20 points in four straight and 18 of his last 20 games. He is averaging 25.6 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last 10 contests. The 7-0 forward has registered 37 double-doubles in the 2004-05 campaign.

The Mavericks will play five of their final nine games in the regular season at American Airlines Center.