NBA Results: Suns Defeat Mavericks 109 to 97

The Suns didn't have Shaq in the lineup Thursday, but were still able to the beat the Mavericks. (AP Images)

The Mavericks better pray the trade for Jason Kidd goes through, because it looked apparent they needed him against the Suns on Thursday night.

Dirk Notwizki scored 36 points and Jason Terry scored 29 but no other Maverick scored in double digits and the Mavs lost 109 to 97 to Phoenix.

The Suns didn't have newly acquired center Shaquille O'Neal in the lineup, but had enough offense to get by Dallas. Amare Stoudamire and Leandro Barbosa both had 26 points while Steve Nash had 24 and 13 assists.

The Suns were able to cover the -7.5 spread in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Chicago Bulls 99, Miami Heat 92

The Miami Heat look better as a unit but are still terrible.

Dwyane Wade had 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Shawn Marion had 23 points and seven rebounds but still fell to the Chicago Bulls.

Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich had 24 points and seven rebounds off the bench while Joe Smith chipped in 19 with 11 rebounds.

The Heat had a better field goal percentage (46 percent compared to 45) and knocked down more threes in the contest (10 compared to just three for the Bulls), but didn't rebound (only 35 compared to 53) or take care of the ball (18 turnovers compared to 14), and that's what lost them the contest in the end.

The Bulls were actually two-point underdogs at home and covered.