ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Jason Terry, Small forward Josh Howard, Power forward James Singleton, Center Erick Dampier. Bench -- Guard J.J. Barea, Guard Antoine Wright, Center DeSagana Diop, Forward Brandon Bass.
PLAYER NOTES: --F Josh Howard was evasive when if he was bothered that he hasn't played much in the fourth quarter, especially in the latter portions, since his return from a sprained left ankle on Dec. 15.
"I don't know anything about that," Howard said of his fourth-quarter situation. "I just have to keep playing my game."
Howard missed 11 games and his performances since, including seven starts, have been uneven. His scoring and rebounding numbers have taken a hit. Before the injury he was averaging career-best numbers of 20.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. Those numbers have dropped to 17.9 and 5.3.
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said on Sunday that Howard's minutes would pick up, most notably in crunch time. On Sunday against the Clippers, the Mavs didn't need him the final period. He did his damage in the first three, when he scored all 29 of his points.
"He's going to be on the floor more," Carlisle said. "I've got to get him out there."
--F Dirk Nowitzki did not escape suspension after all Sunday when the league chimed in at 8 a.m. on the West Coast to inform the team that Nowitzki would serve a one-game suspension for his fist to the face of Utah Jazz forward Matt Harpring on Friday.
The league had no response all Saturday, which some Mavs officials thought might mean good news for Nowitzki. It turned out not to be the case.
Nowitzki scored 17 points in the loss to Utah before being ejected with 9:48 left in the game. That was his lowest scoring output since Nov. 13, ending a streak of 12 games with 21 points or more.
Nowitzki will be back in action Tuesday when the Mavs play Minnesota at home.
--G Jason Terry is making a statement with his play to win the Sixth Man of the Year award and might even be garnering All-Star consideration -- and over the weekend he seemed to be stumping for coach Rick Carlisle.
"He's doing a great job," Terry said. "He doesn't get nearly as much credit as he should. But he will, come the end of the season."
Terry said he's been impressed with how Carlisle has juggled the rotation to get production at different times from different players.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G-F Jerry Stackhouse (right heel) is out indefinitely.
