With the Dallas Mavericks falling to 0-4 without Lamar Odom after a devastating 97-92 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, they will attempt to stem the bleeding when they return to the American Airlines Center to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Utah has struggled lately as well, going 4-10 in the month of February, but they are coming off a dramatic 99-98 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Dallas, which has been burned by big scoring nights from opposing centers during this latest losing streak, will need to improve their interior defense when they face the Jazz.
Utah has one of the deepest front-lines in the NBA with 6'10 290 Al Jefferson, averaging nearly a double-double this season, 6'8 250 Paul Millsapp, who narrowly missed out on an All-Star berth, and two recent lottery picks, Derrick Favors (6'10 250) and Enes Kanter (6'11 270), coming off the bench.
The Mavericks won the first two meetings of the season between the two, with the highlight being Rodrigue Beaubois' 22 points and 7 assists in their 116-101 victory over the Jazz on Jan. 27.
Beaubois, who responded to being inserted into the starting line-up against the Hornets with 25 points on 11-17 shooting, could be the answer for Dallas' offensive struggles and they'll need him to continue producing in West's absence.
He'll likely be matched up against former Maverick Devin Harris, who, along with Josh Howard, has provided a young Jazz team with veteran leadership from the perimeter this season.
The 7:30 PM game will be broadcast regionally on Fox Sports Southwest.
Check out Mavs Moneyball for the latest news and notes on the Mavericks while SLC Dunk has you covered for all the pre-game angles from Utah.