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Nowitzki, Mavericks look to continue winning ways

Jan 28, 2008 - 2:03 PM Dallas (30-13) at Memphis (13-31) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks have won three in a row and 11 out of their last 13. The Memphis Grizzlies haven't put together consecutive wins since late November.

The Mavericks will look to put another win on the board when they visit the Grizzlies on Monday.

Dallas posted a 90-85 win against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday behind 32 points and 11 rebounds from reigning NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki. Josh Howard continued his late push for a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The win came at a cost, however, as starting point guard Devin Harris suffered a sprained left ankle early in the fourth quarter. He will be held out of Monday's contest, the team announced after Sunday's game.

The Mavericks have been strong on defense of late, holding all but three teams under 100 points over the past 13 games. The Nuggets' 85-point output on Sunday was their third-lowest of the season.

The Grizzlies snapped a two-game slide with a 125-120 overtime win over the lowly Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Second-year forward Rudy Gay led the way with 34 points and 12 rebounds as Pau Gasol sat out his second straight game with back problems.

Dallas won the first meeting of the season between the teams, 108-105, on November 17 as Howard scored 27 points.

Memphis will be looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since November 24 and 27.