NBA

• Mavs face banged-up Rockets in Houston

  
  

  (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks will try to extend their season high winning streak to three games when they close out a three-game road trip tonight against the Southwest Division-rival Houston Rockets.

  Dallas is 2-0 so far on the trip after a five-game slide and handed the Charlotte Bobcats a 100-83 loss on Tuesday. Dirk Nowitzki poured in 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds to keep Dallas perfect against the Bobcats (9-0). Josh Howard scored 21 points and Jason Terry added 15 points off the bench for the Mavericks.

  Jason Kidd had 10 assists and two points in a winning effort.

  Houston is banged up after losing stars Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Ron Artest during Monday's 100-89 victory over the expansion Oklahoma City Thunder. McGrady left the game early in the third quarter with a knee injury and Yao exited the contest late with a foot problem. Artest sprained his ankle minutes after Yao went down and both player are probable for Wednesday. McGrady is listed as questionable against the Mavericks.

  Luis Scola posted 23 points and nine rebounds to lead the way and Yao ended with 19 points and 12 boards. Artest chipped in 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won two straight and three of their last four.

  The Rockets posted a 112-102 victory over the Mavs on October 30 this season at American Airlines Center and have won the past two meetings. Dallas, though, is 10-3 in the previous 13 matchups in this series.

  Dallas has won three in a row at the Toyota Center.

  11/19 11:09:41 ET