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Mavs aim to stop skid with Bobcats in town

Dec 3, 2013 - 3:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to halt a two-game losing streak Tuesday night when the Charlotte Bobcats pay a visit to American Airlines Center.

The Mavs fell in Atlanta to the Hawks on Friday night, then couldn't stem the tide on Saturday when the Minnesota Timberwolves came to Big D and left with a 112-106 victory.

The Wolves shot 50.6 percent against Dallas and outrebounded the Mavs, 44-37 on Saturday.

"A lot of work defensively," head coach Rick Carlisle said, describing Monday's practice. "You know, keeping people out of the paint is a real priority right now, and we got hurt with that badly against Minnesota. It's been our most consistent challenge defensively, and we're working hard on that. It's got to be a collective group challenge that we take on."

Monta Ellis led the way against the Wolves with 26 points, followed by 23 from Dirk Nowitzki. Samuel Dalembert added 12, while DeJuan Blair had 11 and Vince Carter chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Jose Calderon missed the Minnesota game with a right ankle contusion and is listed as day-to-day. Gal Mekel started in his place on Saturday and scored six points on 3-for-12 shooting.

The Bobcats have dropped three of four, including a 99-98 heartbreaking loss at Miami on Sunday.

Chris Bosh of the Heat nailed a trio of 3-pointers in a 79-second span late in the fourth to help the Heat rally. Charlotte held an 87-80 lead with less than four minutes to go.

"It's tough because we deserved to win that game. We just didn't finish," Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson told the Charlotte Observer.

Kemba Walker led the Bobcats with 27 points. Henderson scored 17 points and Al Jefferson registered a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Josh McRoberts and Ramon Session each contributed 10 points.

The Bobcats return home for three straight following Tuesday's tilt with the Mavs.

The Bobcats defeated the Mavericks on Nov. 10, 2012 which snapped a 16-game losing streak to Dallas. Charlotte has been held under 100 points in 16 of the last 17 meetings between the two teams.