Dallas @ San Antonio preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2017 ) San Antonio 97, Dallas 91

Southwest Division rivals Dallas and San Antonio will finish their four-game season series by Dec. 16, a front-loaded set that continues Monday when the Mavericks visit the Spurs. San Antonio utilized 32 points from LaMarcus Aldridge to claim the first encounter in Dallas earlier this month and run its winning streak in 'Big D' to five games.

That victory was part of the Spurs' current 8-3 surge, which includes an impressive 106-86 triumph at Charlotte on Saturday, their most lopsided road win of the season. The Mavericks were 2-13 after their loss to San Antonio and they dropped their next game as well, but they've reversed direction with three wins in four games after a solid 16-point victory over Oklahoma City on Saturday. "We've just been playing how we're supposed to play," guard Wesley Matthews told reporters. "If we play that way, we've got enough talent and enough skill to win games more often than not." Dallas is allowing an average of 87.5 points in regulation during its 3-1 stretch.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Southwest (Dallas, San Antonio)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (5-15): Veteran star Dirk Nowitzki has looked like a 39-year-old at times this season, but he found some energy in recent games and finished with a season-high 19 points versus Oklahoma City. "My legs feel stronger. My stamina is better," Nowitzki told reporters. "It just took me a while to get going into the season. Eleven games in 18 days didn't help against a lot of great, great opponents, but I feel better now and I'm going to keep working." The 20-year pro is averaging 15.3 points on 55.9 percent shooting and 8.3 rebounds over the last three games.

ABOUT THE SPURS (12-7): Even with two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard sidelined all season, San Antonio entered Sunday tied for second in the league in scoring defense (98.1 points), and it held seven of its last 10 opponents under 100. "Our defense was pretty solid from beginning to end," coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after his team limited the Hornets to 36.9 percent from the field. "And we got a good game from a lot of people." Aldridge and Pau Gasol had 17 points apiece to lead six players in double figures for the Spurs, who return home having won six of their last seven at the AT&T Center.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks rookie PG Dennis Smith Jr. had a season-high 27 points in the earlier loss to the Spurs.

2. San Antonio PG Tony Parker (quad) is expected to make his season debut on Monday.

3. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle needs one win for 700 in his career, which would make him the 18th in NBA history to reach that milestone.

PREDICTION: Spurs 103, Mavericks 95