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Jazz hope return home can spark success

Dec 26, 2007 - 1:01 PM Dallas (19-9) at Utah (15-14) 9:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - The Utah Jazz haven't been able to buy a win lately, dropping nine of their last 11 games. Most of those losses have been on the road, where the Jazz have dropped eight of nine.

Utah hosts Dallas on Wednesday, hoping the change of scenery will do some good. The Jazz will play four of their next five at home, where the team is 9-2.

The Jazz are coming off a 104-102 loss at Miami on Saturday. Dwyane Wade had 20 points for the Heat, including a 20-foot shot at the buzzer.

Deron Williams scored 22 points, Andrei Kirilenko had 21 and C.J. Miles scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Utah, which took its only lead of the second half on a pair of free throws by Matt Harpring with 46.3 seconds remaining.

The Mavericks are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won five straight, including a 102-89 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

"At this point it doesn't matter how many games you win in a row," said Dallas power forward Dirk Nowitzki, who has averaged 30.6 points in his last three games. "It's a matter of finding a rhythm. This is a step in the right direction. We're not worried about any streaks."