--Frontcourt depth has taken a hit this season, with Shawn Marion, Erick Dampier and Tim Thomas out at different times. One man's misfortune has been Kris Humphries' opportunity. Seen by many as a throw-in in the Marion sign-and-trade, Humphries has put together several gritty performances this season. He has scored at least seven points six times and grabbed at least five rebounds on eight occasions. "He's sort of like a construction worker with Sunday School clothes on," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a dirty-work guy, but he's got some very good skill aspects to his game, too."
--After rebounding from a loss at San Antonio with a win at Minnesota, G Jason Terry said it was time to string some wins together. The streak ended at five with Tuesday's loss to Golden State. A six-game streak would have been the Mavs' longest since 2007-08.
Dallas was in position to win with a nine-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the undermanned Warriors made a furious push to pull off the upset.
"It was a tough loss for us and it's kind of what has been happening to us lately by having the lead," F Drew Gooden said, "and then having a nail-biter and tonight it finally came back and bit us."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We'll always remember the way Nellie ended our season a few years ago. Obviously, that left a sour taste in our mouths, but it's been a long time since then, and you have to move on." -- F Dirk Nowitzki on coach Don Nelson's Golden State Warriors upsetting the Mavs in the 2007 first round.
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