Josh Howard: “Start of our run right here”

The red-hot Rockets bring a franchise-record 16-game winning streak into American Airlines Center tonight, with the last four wins coming without the out-for-the-season Yao Ming. The Mavs have dropped two straight and three of four, and took a blow yesterday with Dirk Nowitzki’s one-game suspension.

Houston begins a stretch of nine out of 10 at home, and the Mavs know need to get something going. They’re seventh in the Western Conference, having been leapfrogged by Houston in the standings.

“They’ve got something going, but they’re coming up here to Dallas and we’re a great home team,” Josh Howard said. “We don’t back down from any challenge. This is going to be the start of our run right here.”