Preview: Mavericks (8-7) at Jazz (9-4)

Earl K. Sneed reports from Salt Lake City and previews the Dallas Mavericks' Thursday night matchup with the Jazz. The defending champions are trying to bounce back from back-to-back last-second losses to begin their four-game road trip.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — It might surprise you that the Dallas Mavericks couldn't wait to leave the sunny weather of Los Angeles for the wintery mix and frigidness of Salt Lake City. Then again, it may not be a surprise after the Mavericks (8-7) suffered two heartbreaking losses in L.A. to begin their four-game road trip.

After falling on Derek Fisher's 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left to ruin the MLK holiday and Lamar Odom's return to face his former team with a 73-70 loss to the L.A. Lakers, the Mavericks would be forced to suffer the same disappointment two nights later after Clippers guard Chauncey Billups' triple with 1.0 seconds remaining handed the defending champs a 91-89 defeat.

Thursday night, while playing in front of a national audience for the third straight game on the road, the Mavs will try to get back in the win column in the hostile EnergySolutions Arena.

“That’s basketball at its best. It can reward you and also it can upset you. We’re a veteran ballclub, and we have a game [Thursday], so we have to be ready,” point guard Jason Kidd said while trying to shake off the disappointment.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, Wednesday night's loss marked the third time they have dropped a matchup on the road this season following a game-winning 3-pointer by the other team. And with the veteran Dallas squad normally among the elite at closing out games, the Mavericks admit they will have to address their last-second defensive execution before suiting up against a Utah Jazz unit with some familiar faces.

“We were right there. Three threes to end games, we just can’t let that happen,” forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “I mean, we should have won at OKC [Oklahoma City], we should have won this game (against the Clippers) and the Lakers game we were tied and should have went to overtime. Three game-winners … so, we’ve got to work that out.”

“Again, it’s late-game situations,” reserve guard Jason Terry added. “We’ve lost now on three 3-point shots, so we’ve got to get that corrected.”

With very little time to harp over the losses, however, the Mavericks prepare to see the Jazz (9-4), who have won three straight games and sit with the Western Conference's second-best record after handing the very same Clippers a 108-79 loss Tuesday night in Utah. And with the Jazz -- who feature former Mavericks Devin Harris and Josh Howard -- winners of eight out of nine since the calendar turned to 2012, the reigning titleholders say they can't afford to have a L.A. hangover.

"Right now, this is how it is. Tough going, but we've got to be tougher," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle simply said. "We need everybody to step it up. I mean, it starts with the coaching staff. I don't dodge that responsibility, but we've gotta all dig down here. Hey, when it gets like this you've gotta fight, 'cause the opponents are gonna keep coming and when they introduce you as world champs they're coming at you hard."

Utah is also 7-1 at home this season, making matters even worst, although the Jazz are expected to be without the services of Howard (quadriceps) who is listed as day-to-day

"It's a tough place to play, but again it's primetime and we're gonna be ready. I mean, we're gonna be fired up. Playing against some old friends in Josh and Devin, that will be fun. But again, this team needs a win. We're not trying to lose three in a row," Terry empathically proclaimed.

"We've just gotta keep on fighting," echoed Nowitzki. "I mean, nobody said it's gonna be easy. So, just gotta keep on working. Tough game [Thursday night], we'll see what happens."

Note: The Mavericks will now continue their four-game road trip, returning to action on the second night of a back-to-back in Utah against the Jazz Thursday night. That game will air nationally on TNT at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.