• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mavericks look to continue home success against Magic

Dec 17, 2007 - 3:38 PM Orlando (17-8) at Dallas (16-9) 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks appear to be facing the Orlando Magic at the right time.

The Magic have lost four of their last five games heading into Monday's contest, while the Mavericks are 4-1 over the same stretch.

Orlando, which has an NBA-best 12 road victories, is coming off a 123-119 home loss on Saturday to Memphis despite 31 points and 20 rebounds from Dwight Howard and the absence of Grizzlies' forward Pau Gasol.

The Magic are allowing an average of 99 points per game for the season, but 104.6 points in their last five.

Dallas, 10-2 at home, has won nine straight games at home against Orlando. The last Magic road win against the Mavericks was a 100-90 decision on December 11, 1997.

The Mavericks have won two straight, including a 96-83 victory at Houston on Saturday. Josh Howard scored 23 points and Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points as Dallas beat its in-state rival for the 10th time in the last 11 meetings.