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Mavericks hope to rebound vs. Suns

Apr 6, 2008 - 12:57 PM Dallas (47-29) at Phoenix (51-25) 3:30 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks will need to find a winning formula quickly if they plan to make another postseason appearance.

The Mavericks aim to bounce back Sunday when the Phoenix Suns come calling in a critical Western Conference showdown.

Despite having three players reach the 20-point plateau, Dallas still managed to come out on the short end of things in Friday's 112-108 setback to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Every game is a playoff game, and you can't afford to have any slip-ups," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "We can't afford to not execute. We just have to figure out a way to not have those breakdowns, especially at key times."

Dallas is just one game better than the Denver Nuggets (46-30) and Golden State Warriors (46-30) - who are tied for the final playoff spot - in the West standings with six games remaining in the regular season.

Phoenix is coming off an impressive 117-88 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves behind the efforts of All-Star Amare Stoudemire on Friday. Stoudemire scored 24 points in 28 minutes.

"I'm encouraged by the way we're playing," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "The ball is moving pretty nicely, and our defense is getting pretty solid and I just think overall this is a pretty good basketball team."

Phoenix and the Houston Rockets (51-25) are tied for fifth place and are battling for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

In the last meeting between both teams, former two-time MVP Steve Nash registered 24 points and 13 assists to carry the Suns to a 109-97 victory on Valentine's Day. Both Jason Kidd and Shaquille O'Neal were still with their former clubs.