--The Mavericks' 0-3 home record is their worst since the 1993-94 season when the team lost its first 19 at home and finished the season 13-69. No one is predicting that type of disaster, but at 2-6 and in last place in the Southwest Division, the Mavs are desperate for a win, anywhere.
They play Orlando at home Friday night. To end a four-game slid overall, the Mavs say shoring up their defense has to be a top priority. "When you give up 100 points and not scoring 100, you're going to lose a lot of games," Jason Kidd said. "For us, that's something we have to address."
--F Dirk Nowitzki is in a funk offensively. After scoring 14 points against the Lakers, two in the second half, he followed up Thursday at Chicago with 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
Nowitzki was averaging 23.6 points a game coming into the Chicago game. In eight games, he has three games of 30 points or more, but also games of eight, 14 and 12.
"He had a lot of good looks," coach Rick Carlisle said after the Chicago loss. "After the beginning of the game he struggled to get the ball to the basket. We'll keep working on it and try to get him easier looks."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just have as many offensive weapons as anyone in the league, but we've got to find some guys who want to play defense." --- Jason Kidd on his team's 98-91 loss at Chicago on Tuesday. After the first quarter, the Bulls shot nearly 50 percent.
