Dallas (54-18) at Orlando (28-44)

The Dallas Mavericks look to avoid a season-high three-game losing streak as they visit the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-94 on Wednesday, marking just the second time all season they have lost consecutive games.

“This team doesn’t like losing one in a row,” Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said.

Johnson was named coach on March 19, 2005, shortly after Dallas’ last three-game losing streak from March 2-6, 2005.

The Mavericks have lost four of their last six games and fallen behind the San Antonio Spurs for the Southwest Division lead and the best record in the Western Conference, which carries home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

After going 45-11 prior to March, Dallas is 9-7 this month heading into this game.

“I think we have a heck of a team, I think we can still turn this into a special season,” Johnson said. “But, right now, we’re just sputtering. But, that doesn’t mean our season is over, it doesn’t mean we have don’t have the same goals.

“Its great that these guys never quit. Weve won some games, weve lost some games during this stretch, but Im hoping that we can look back on this stretch and say that everybody hung in there with each other.”

The Mavs were outscored 35-16 in the third quarter against the Cavaliers, and are 6-12 when allowing at least 100 points.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points Wednesday and is averaging 32.8 points in his last six games. Jerry Stackhouse added 23, and has 48 points on 19 for 33 shooting in his last two games.

Dallas has won five of its last six games over Orlando, including a 109-103 overtime win Dec. 16 in their only meeting of the season.

The Magic lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-91 on Wednesday, snapping a four-game winning streak in which they shot 53.7 percent from the field.

The loss dropped Orlando five games behind Philadelphia for eighth place in the Eastern Conference, and the Magic have two fewer games remaining than the 76ers.

Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu each scored 15 points as six players reached double figures for the Magic, who hurt their cause with nine fourth-quarter turnovers.

“This game hurts,” said Magic center Tony Battie, who scored 14. “We haven’t been a particularly good ballclub on the road and this game was within our grasp.”

Orlando is averaging 103.7 points and shooting 53.6 percent from the field during its six-game home winning streak, one shy of its season high established Dec. 26-Jan. 24.