--F Josh Howard has been listed as day-to-day since he sustained a sprained left ankle in Charlotte on Nov. 18, but clearly day-to-day might have been wishful thinking.
Howard missed his fifth consecutive game and seventh of the season. He tested the ankle before Saturday's game at Sacramento, but he seemed to have a difficult time putting weight on the ankle and making cuts. Coach Rick Carlisle didn't sound entirely optimistic that Howard would be ready to return when Dallas opens a seven-game homestand Tuesday against the Clippers.
Carlisle said he's "hopeful."
--Fourth-year swingman Gerald Green is clearly not gaining favor with coach Rick Carlisle. For the second consecutive game, Green has started the game at shooting guard, but has remained on the bench for the start of the second half.
He played less than five minutes Friday against the Lakers, and Saturday against Sacramento he lasted eight minutes before finally getting back in during garbage time.
During his eight first-half minutes against the Kings, Green was 1-for-6 from the field with his only field goal coming on a rebound off his own blown layup. He finished 1-for-8.
--G Jason Terry had 24 points Saturday against the Kings, giving him 82 points in the last three games and pushing his season average to nearly 20 points a game. Terry's career-high average is 19.7 back in 2000-01, his second season in the league with Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I got my rhythm back. It took me a couple of games to get going and shake the cobwebs off, but I'm feeling good." -- Devean George, on scoring 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting in a season-high 27 minutes Saturday against Sacramento.
