Gameday: Wolves at Dallas

Last update: December 29, 2008 - 11:26 PM

Preview: The Mavericks are 19-12 after a 7-8 season start. They are 5-2 in their past seven games, holding opponents to 84.8 points in that time. The Mavs are 10-0 when holding opponents to under 90 points. ... Dirk Nowitzki returns after serving a one-game suspension for taking a swipe at Utah's Matt Harpring. Nowitzki scored 21 points in the Mavs' 95-85 victory at Target Center in the season's second game.

Players to watch: Nowitzki is averaging 28.1 points, nine rebounds, 2.7 assists and 38.5 minutes while shooting 50.9 from the field and 90 percent from the line in December. ... Mavs guard Jason Terry has made a three-pointer in each of his past 19 games. He is averaging 20.9 points and is making a case for Sixth Man of the Year.

Numbers: Mavs guard Jason Kidd ranks eighth all-time in the NBA in steals, with 2,113. He needs 50 more to pass Hakeem Olajuwon into seventh place. He has 101 career triple-doubles, behind only Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138).

Injuries: Wolves guard Mike Miller is expected to miss his fourth game in a row because of a sprained ankle.

JERRY ZGODA

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