Building a 20-point lead before holding off the Jazz late in the fourth quarter for a 102-93 victory, the Mavericks (9-4) defended their home court after reeling off three straight wins on the road. Now, the Mavs will again try to exert their will away from home, beginning another three-game road trip Sunday in Oklahoma City against the high-octane Thunder (7-6).
And although the Mavericks aren’t certain whether they will see former MVP Kevin Durant after he missed the last five games with a strained left hamstring, the Dallas team knows it will still have its hands full against perennial All-Star Russell Westbrook.