NBA Matchup: Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns

Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns Thurs. Feb. 17, 2011 10:30 p.m. EST

The Dallas Mavericks are on a roll right now as they have won nine of their last ten games and are holding off the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers for the second seed in the Western Conference. Even though Dirk Nowitzki and company are sitting pretty right now with an impressive 38-16 record, they are still trying to do everything within their power to catch up to arguably the best team in the league in the San Antonio Spurs (46-9).

Not only are the Spurs in the way of the number one overall seed in the Western Conference for the Mavs, but they are also on top of the Southwest division. At this point in time, it will be extremely difficult for the Dallas Mavericks to catch up to their division rivals as the San Antonio Spurs have looked near unbeatable at times this season, but every win counts and at any moment the Spurs aging veterans could start to wear down and give the Mavs the advantage.

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On Thursday night, the Mavs will travel to Phoenix to take on two-time NBA MVP point guard Steve Nash and the Suns. Even though the Suns aren’t the same team they were last season as they lost arguably their best player to free agency in Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks), Phoenix is still keeping their head above water in the Western Conference as they will come into this game with a 27-26 record and a second place standing in the Pacific division.

Obviously, with a record like that the Suns are nowhere near catching the defending champs in the Pacific, but if they can keep winning basketball games they have a shot at getting back into the playoffs at the end of the regular season. As of right now, the Phoenix Suns are sitting in the tenth seed in the Western Conference with the Memphis Grizzlies (ninth seed, 31-26) and the Utah Jazz (eighth seed, 31-25) standing in their way, but I believe with the veteran leadership on this team, they could get back into contention for the eighth spot.

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Even though the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns matchup as well as any two teams in the league, the storyline coming into this matchup will be all-time great point guards Jason Kidd and Steve Nash going head-to-head. As two of arguably the best point guards ever to play this game and the fact that at one time they both played on the same team in Phoenix, it is always interesting to see these two battle it out as their games are the same, but different.

Coming into this matchup, the Phoenix Suns have been given the advantage at home as they are the -1 point favorite to come out on top. The last time these two faced off the Mavs just dominated the Suns with a 106-91 victory, but I believe this time will be different as Nash should Phoenix to victory over his old team and mentor.