--G Jerry Stackhouse says he isn't sure how his role on the team is unfolding after coach Rick Carlisle did not play him in Monday's loss to Cleveland. Stackhouse played 19 minutes Tuesday at San Antonio, but his shooting woes continued. He made just 1-of-5 shots and is 3-of-16 on the season. Despite the season-high minutes, his role day-to-day is uncertain.

"It's tough, being who I've been, and to have such a short leash," Stackhouse said. "Long stretches on the bench, I've just got to find ways to combat that, and that's the toughest part for me."

--G Jason Kidd played 10 minutes in the fourth quarter Tuesday as coach Rick Carlisle chose to ride his veteran point guard rather than go with his bench for a sizable chunk of the fourth quarter, as he did in the loss to Cleveland and Houston. Kidd, who finished with 10 assists, came up big on the offensive glass with three offensive rebounds in the final quarter to thwart a San Antonio comeback.

"It's a mentality, it's an attitude, trying to keep balls alive on the offensive end," Kidd said.

--F Dirk Nowitzki said the Mavs players took the 100-81 home loss to Cleveland personally and needed to make a statement, not to the Spurs, but to themselves Tuesday night.

"We just didn't compete hard enough yesterday and we got embarrassed in our building," Nowitzki said. "We had a meeting (Tuesday) morning, and we just had to get back to playing hard on both ends of the floor."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G-F Devean George (left hand) missed his third game Monday. He could be ready next week.