Denver and San Antonio take on Dallas at American Airlines Center

Two years after the Mavs defeated the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the two franchises have headed in opposite directions.

With Dirk Nowitzki back, it's time for Rick Carlisle to slow the pace of the game down and give more minutes to his best defensive and rebounding big men.

The Dallas Mavericks don't play again until Thursday but the rest of the league will have marquee matchups throughout.

Darren Collison left the Mavericks' loss to the Grizzlies with illness but plans to return Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Dallas Mavericks lost both Thursday and Friday to drop to 12-15 on the season.

The Dallas Mavericks have slid down the standings lately due to a recent skid that has seen them lose five of their last six games.

Contests against Memphis and San Antonio finish stretch of three games in four days.

Another three-game losing streak has dropped Dallas out of the top eight.

Two years after the Mavs beat them in the NBA Finals, the Heat are on top of the league. Will anyone be able to knock them off their perch next June?