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Dec 14, 2015 - 1:12 AM The "D" has been missing for Dallas lately at home.

Trying to salvage the finale of a three-game homestand, the Mavericks look to put together a 48-minute effort Monday night versus the Phoenix Suns.

Any momentum Dallas (13-11) gained from road victories at Washington and New York was blunted with home losses to Atlanta and the Wizards, who shot 51.8 percent overall and 14 for 29 from 3-point range in beating the Mavericks 114-111 on Saturday night.

Coach Rick Carlisle shouldered the blame for the defeat, noting he failed to make adjustments during a Washington's 39-point third quarter in which it made 6 of 8 from beyond the arc and 16 of 23 overall.

"We allowed them to get into an unbelievable shotmaking groove," Carlisle said. "It's a one-point game at halftime, which is manageable. The third quarter was what did us in. I blame myself. We need to get these guys better prepared to play, and we're just not where we need to be."

The century mark has usually been a bell weather for the Mavs, who are 9-2 when holding opponents under 100 points and 4-9 when failing to do so. Dallas has also allowed at least 98 points in all five of its home losses and is trying to avoid its first winless homestand of at least three games since going 0-3 from Feb. 17-21, 1998.

That inconsistent defense turned in a solid effort in a 111-95 win at Phoenix in the first meeting Oct. 28. The Mavs limited the Suns to 39.1 percent shooting and 6 for 24 from beyond the arc, while Raymond Felton's 18 points paced eight players in double figures.

Felton had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Saturday's loss for his second career triple-double and may see extended minutes again since Deron Williams could miss his second straight game due to an illness.

Dirk Nowitzki, who has averaged 22.0 points in his career against the Suns, has gone 2 for 11 from 3-point range on the homestand and has 26 total points on 9-for-29 shooting. He's 76 points shy of tying Shaquille O'Neal (28,596) for sixth on the all-time list.

Wesley Matthews improved his 3-point shooting at home to 30.8 percent (20 for 65) after making 6 of 11 on Saturday.

Phoenix (11-14) is seeking its fourth win in five games after taking advantage of turnover-prone Minnesota in Sunday's 108-101 victory. The Suns scored an NBA season-high 43 points off 24 turnovers - the most by any team since Milwaukee had 47 against Philadelphia on April 13.

"We want to play great defense, get stops and get out in transition and run and have fun," said guard Eric Bledsoe, who had 23 points and nine assists.

Bledsoe's backcourt partner Brandon Knight shook off an 0-for-12 shooting effort in Friday's loss to Portland by hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers and scoring 25 points.

"It always feels good to see the ball go in the hoop," Knight said. "I'm not going to change the way I've been playing. It was one off night, a really off night. But I'm a very confident person and my teammates always stick behind me."

Knight and Bledsoe were held in check by the Mavericks in October, combining for 28 points on 10-of-25 shooting, and also struggled defensively with minus-23 and minus-25 marks, respectively. Phoenix forced just eight turnovers in that game, leading to four points, while Dallas scored 13 off 18 miscues by the Suns.