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Suns hope to snap skid at Mavericks

Dec 4, 2008 - 11:21 AM Phoenix (11-8) at Dallas (9-8), 8:00 p.m. EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Phoenix Suns hope to end a season-high three-game losing streak when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

With Steve Nash out due to flu-like symptoms and Shaquille O'Neal given the night off for rest, the Suns dropped a 104-91 contest at the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.

Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points for Phoenix, which has also lost disappointing home games to Miami and New Jersey during its skid.

The stretch of setbacks has also come soon after Stoudemire and Nash publicly said - to different sources - that they were unhappy in the offense under new coach Terry Porter.

Dallas has won seven of its last eight, including a come-from-behind, 100-98 triumph against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Jose Juan Barea drilled the game-winning 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to cap the game-ending 16-2 run over the final five minutes.

Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks, who are playing the second contest of a seven-game homestand.