Jazz-Mavericks Preview

During their two-game sweep in Los Angeles, the Dallas Mavericks showed the defensive intensity that had been missing in their home opener.

Back at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night, Dallas goes for its fifth straight home win over the Utah Jazz, who are off to their worst start in seven seasons.

Dallas opened a two-game visit to Staples Center with Friday's 94-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks held the defending champions to 39.5 percent shooting and 35 second-half points.

Dallas followed that effort with a 93-84 victory over the Clippers on Saturday. The Mavericks blocked eight shots, had a season-high 11 steals and limited Los Angeles to 29 points after halftime.

"Our defense was good both games," coach Rick Carlisle said Monday. "We've got to continue with that."

Dallas (2-1) looks to avoid a repeat effort from its season opener -- a 102-91 loss to visiting Washington on Oct. 27. The Wizards shot 46.4 percent from the floor and outscored the Mavericks 25-17 in the fourth quarter.

"Our team defense stunk," point guard Jason Kidd said following that loss. "We didn't rebound the ball well. Everything we're supposed to do well was a no-show tonight."

Dirk Nowitzki continues to show up for the Mavericks, riding the league's longest active 20-point scoring streak at 28 games.

He averaged 25.3 points and 7.3 rebounds as Dallas and Utah split four meetings last season, with the home team winning each contest.

Nowitzki shot 12 for 18 and finished with 31 points in a 130-101 victory over the Jazz on April 8, when the Mavericks clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. That was Dallas' fourth straight home win over Utah since a 104-89 defeat April 13, 2007.

The Mavericks, who have won 13 of 15 at home against the Jazz, are trying to prevent another slow start at American Airlines Center. Dallas lost its first four home games last season before winning 32 of 37 there.

"We've proved we can win on the road -- now we've got to protect home," Kidd said. "If we want to be an elite team, we've got to win games at home. That starts (Tuesday) night."

Utah makes the first of two regular-season visits to Dallas following Monday's 113-96 loss to Houston. The Jazz, who are 1-2 for the first time since 2002-03, are giving up 108.3 points per game.

"If you're not going to defend, it's pretty tough to have a chance to win," coach Jerry Sloan said. "They got on top of the basket, they drove around us, they went up to the ball on the boards and they passed the ball."

Jazz point guard Deron Williams had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds Monday, but he missed 14 of 20 shots. Utah shot 13 of 35 from the field in a 39-point second half.

Williams, a former standout at The Colony High School outside Dallas, averaged 24.8 points and 11.5 assists against the Mavericks in 2008-09.

After missing Friday's 111-98 win over the Clippers with a sprained ankle, center Mehmet Okur led the Jazz on Monday with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

Okur averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 boards in Dallas last season.