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Mavs, Warriors square off in Big D

Nov 27, 2013 - 3:47 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to halt a two-game slide on Wednesday night when they welcome the Golden State Warriors to American Airlines Center.

The Mavs' two-game losing streak is really just a slide against the Denver Nuggets. Dallas dropped both games of a home-and-home series and that ended a four-game winning streak.

The loss at home on Monday was Dallas' first of the season in its own building. Denver whooped on the Mavs, shooting 54.7 percent in a 110-96 victory.

Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 22 points, followed by 18 from Dirk Nowitzki. Shawn Marion had 13, Jose Calderon added 12 and DeJuan Blair chipped in 10.

The bench only scored 21 points and eight Dallas reserves saw action.

"We've got to play at full capacity in terms of our energy and helping each other," head coach Rick Carlisle said after practice on Tuesday. "Golden State is a great offensive team. I mean, they've got guys with a lot of ability. They've got the ability to jump over you and hit long shots. They've got post- up guys, they've got iso guys, they pass it good and they guard. I consider them a top-echelon team in the West, and we're going to have to be real good and real tied together to beat them."

The Warriors are in the midst of a four-game road trip, which got off to a great start on Tuesday with a gutsy 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Golden State led at the half, but the lead for either team never grew past six in the fourth quarter. Eric Gordon of the Pelicans had a game-winning 3- pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.

"These games are character builders for us because we're trying to do something special. And not every game is going to be easy for us," center Jermaine O'Neal said.

O'Neal returned from a leg injury on Tuesday night and replaced starting center Andrew Bogut in the starting lineup. Bogut was suspended due to an incident against the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday.

The Warriors were also without Andre Iguodala, who is sidelined with a left hamstring injury.

Against the Pelicans, all five starters scored in double figures, led by Klay Thompson's 22. David Lee registered 19 points, followed by 18 from O'Neal. Stephen Curry chipped in 16 points and Harrison Barnes managed 14 points.

The Warriors still have to visit the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings after Wednesday's tilt with the Mavs.

Golden State took two of three from Dallas last season, but the Warriors have lost five of their last six in Big D.