Jerry Seinfeld's humor.

The Mavericks vs. the Phoenix Suns.

Remember when conference supremacy or a trip to the Finals was at stake when these teams met? Well, tonight's game at the U.S. Airways Center is more about survival.

The Mavericks and Suns are engaged in a fight for the West's eighth and final playoff seed. The Mavericks own the dominant position. Win Tuesday, and their lead over the Suns expands to five games.

We pause here to provide some mathematical perspective. If the Mavericks take a five-game lead and go .500 over the final 18 games of the regular season, it forces the Suns to go 15-3 to pass them.

"This one right here can really put a dent in their self-confidence," Mavericks guard Jason Terry said.

Both teams have endured their share of dents. The Mavericks won't have Josh Howard against the Suns or for Wednesday night's game against Portland. Howard remained in Dallas for the start of this crucial four-game road trip to have more tests conducted on his injured left ankle.

The Suns would extend their sympathy if Amare Stoudemire weren't out for the rest of the season after undergoing eye surgery.

What is it about teams and their injured stars this season? San Antonio is still without Manu Ginobili.

But at least the Spurs have retained their status as one of the top teams in the conference. The Mavericks and Suns aren't nearly as fortunate.

"I thought some of our battles with them and San Antonio were classics, or epics," said former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who is now with New York. "For me, it was the highlight of my career. And it was great.

"Everyone had their moment in the sunshine. I thought it was fantastic."

D'Antoni is in a nostalgic mood these days.

"You do reflect," he said. "I reflect, especially after we lose seven in a row or a night of heavy drinking."

The Western Conference landscape changed last season after Memphis gifted Pau Gasol to the LA Lakers. The Mavericks and Suns sensed their championship run was on its last legs and responded with bold moves.

The Suns acquired Shaquille O'Neal. The Mavericks acquired Jason Kidd.

Both teams went out in the first round. Both entered the season with a new coach. The Suns are already on their second coach since D'Antoni left.

D'Antoni still defends the trade, saying Phoenix made the right move. Owner Mark Cuban believes the Mavericks did as well.

Dirk Nowitzki? Well, he's tired of the media bringing it up.

"At some point, you can't look back all the time," Nowitzki said. "You've got to move forward.

"We made a deal. They made a deal. You've got to look why we made the deals - because neither team won the championship. I mean, that was the ultimate goal. If either team would have won one or two championships in that run, they wouldn't have made a big deal."

Terry also doesn't care to look back. He prefers to look up in the standings, although he acknowledges he can feel the Suns breathing down the Mavs' necks.

Phoenix is a desperate team. Expect a fierce effort.

"The thing about it is, they're going to get our best game, too," Terry said. "We remember the last time we were up there. We got blown out. We don't like that feeling.

"I'm going to make sure everyone in this locker room is ready. It's going to be a playoff, a championship atmosphere. It's going to be crazy."

Sounds like the old days.

But it's not.

Seed of doubt

The Mavericks will either own a three- or five-game lead over Phoenix for the West's No. 8 seed after tonight's game. A look at their schedules the rest of the way.

Mavs Competition Suns

8 Over .600 8

4 Over .500 0

6 Under .500 10

9 p.m. today (Ch. 21)