Tonight, Mavs face Trailblazers at home

Dirk Nowitzki will not play tonight against Portland as he will miss his fifth consecutive game while recovering from his sprained knee. When he will play is not yet known.

"When Dirk's ready to play, we'll let everybody know when he's ready to play," Carlisle said. "In the meantime, he's making gradual progress, but that's going to be it. We're not going to have a daily Dirk update, Dirk watch."

The Mavs will also be without Caron Butler tonight who is having surgery on his patellar tendon in his right knee today.

Tonight's game sets off the Mavs' three game homestand.

Shawn Marion filled the gap with his 22 points along with Deshawn Stevenson's 21 points to get the win over the Cavs to end their three game slump. JET also made a comeback with his 18 points off the bench and Tyson acquired a double double. They are going to have to play hard tonight with the same team effort to pull through with their second consecutive win without their two starters.

The Blazers as well are missing their All-Star guard Brandon Roy who is out due to his knee issues. On December 15th this season, the Mavs defeated Portland 103-98.

Portland has won two straight and six of their last eight games, including their 100-85 win over the Rockets where LaMarcus Aldridge had a double double with 25 points 11 rebounds, Batum had 21 points, and both Matthew and Mills had 14 points. That was their eight straight home win.

The Mavs are looking to acquire their second consecutive win and 26th of the season tonight.