(My Sportsbook) - The Phoenix Suns will try to stop a season-high three-game losing streak tonight when they pay a visit to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

The Suns dropped their third in a row after Wednesday's 104-91 setback at New Orleans in the opener of a short two-game road trip. Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points while Leandro Barbosa and Grant Hill chipped in 19 and 17 points, respectively, in defeat.

Phoenix was without two-time MVP Steve Nash (flu) and Shaquille O'Neal (rest) against the Hornets, who took advantage without the big man inside and won the rebounding war by a 46-30 margin. Nash and O'Neal are expected to play tonight for the Suns, who are 7-3 as the guest. Nash is questionable and played with Dallas for six seasons. O'Neal is probable for Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks will continue a lengthy seven-game homestand tonight and opened the season-long residency with a 100-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday to improve to 3-4 as the host.

Jose Barea's three-pointer with 50.2 seconds to play lifted the Mavs and Dirk Nowitzki added a game-high 29 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas, which has won two straight and seven of eight. Jason Terry scored 26 points and Barea finished with 15 in the win.

The Mavericks will also host the Hawks, Spurs, Bobcats, Thunder and Nuggets. In injury news for Dallas, forward Josh Howard is questionable against Phoenix due to a sprained left ankle.

Dallas went 2-1 against Phoenix a year ago and has won 10 of the past 17 matchups. The Mavs have scored more than 100 points against the Suns in 16 of the previous 17 meetings.

Phoenix has lost two of three games at American Airlines Center.