Dirk Nowitzki

The Mavs made a run at their all-time poorest shooting performance in last year's 99-84 loss at Orlando, connecting on just 29.4 percent. Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers in the series last year at 20.5 points per game.

Steve Francis and Dwight Howard present the biggest matchup problems for the Mavs. Guarding penetration has been a sore point all season, and Francis' quickness will test Jason Terry and Devin Harris. Howard is a load down low and likely will be guarded by Erick Dampier/DeSagana Diop to save the pounding on Nowitzki.

REPLAY: The Mavericks bounced back from Monday's disappointing loss to the LA Lakers with a satisfying 102-96 victory Wednesday night over the Phoenix at American Airlines Center.

Dirk Nowitzki led five Mavs in double figures with a game-high 29 points and Josh Howard came off the bench with a career-best 18 rebounds, and the Suns were held to a season-low 39.8-percent shooting.

"Our defense was pretty steady and we are fortunate that they shot below 40 percent," Mavs coach Avery Johnson. "We tried to contest as many shots as we could and tried to make it tough on a lot of their scorers."

Against a Phoenix frontline that doesn't start anyone taller than 6-foot-9 Kurt Thomas, the Mavs dominated inside. The Suns were out-scored in the paint 52-30 and out-rebounded 54-44.

Steve Nash scored 20 for Phoenix, but missed 12-of-18 shots from the floor and had only five assists. The Suns suited up only eight players.

Jason Terry added 23 points for the Mavs, Devin Harris had 13 and Erick Dampier pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Mavs have won six of their last seven.