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Mavericks, Suns square off in Big D

Jan 4, 2012 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - Dallas hopes to build on its most impressive performance of the young season on Wednesday when the Mavericks shoot for an eighth straight home win over the Phoenix Suns.

The reigning champs started a dismal 1-4 this season before Dirk Nowitzki scored a team-high 26 points on Monday, pacing the Mavericks past the previously unbeaten Thunder, 100-87.

Shawn Marion added 17 points for Dallas, while Jason Terry and Vince Carter chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively. Ian Mahinmi scored 10 points in a winning effort.

"Our bench was a big key to why we won last year and they are going to be a big key this year, especially in a season that is shortened," Nowitzki said. "We need the bench to come through and they played a good ball game tonight."

The Suns, meanwhile, won for the second time in three games on Monday in the desert when Steve Nash, Nowitzki's long-time friend and former teammate in Dallas, netted 13 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to go with nine assists, as Phoenix topped the Golden State Warriors, 102-91, at US Airways Center.

Rookie Markieff Morris finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jared Dudley scored 15 points for the Suns, who bounced back from a 107-97 loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Channing Frye contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Shannon Brown had 10 points and five boards.

"I thought we did a good job of just grinding it out. We're still not shooting the ball the way we're capable of shooting it, but I thought we came up with big shots when we had to tonight," Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said. "Obviously, Steve shot the ball much better. I thought overall we did a good job."

Nowitzki is averaging 28.0 points during the Mavs' seven-game home winning streak against Phoenix, which dates back to March 14, 2007. Overall, Dallas has taken five straight against the Suns.