ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Devean George, Small forward Josh Howard, Power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Center Erick Dampier. Bench -- Guard Jason Terry, Center DeSagana Diop, Guard J.J. Barea, Forward Brandon Bass, Guard Gerald Green.
PLAYER NOTES --F Josh Howard said he's not interested in repeating 2008, a discouraging year for the Mavericks' slashing swingman in which he dealt with deaths in his family, a poor end to the 2007-08 season and a series of missteps from the playoffs into the offseason that put him in hot water.
Then came the prolonged ankle injury this season that kept him out of 11 games. When asked how he plans to make 2009 better than 2008, Howard said: "Avoiding the media."
If Howard believes the media is at the root of his problems, then he is sadly mistaken. His decision to admit on the radio that he smokes marijuana in the offseason, his decision to have a birthday party during the playoffs, and his decisions to drive 93 mph and out of nowhere disparage the National Anthem all damaged his reputation.
The media, with no choice, simply reported on his mishaps. His decision now to avoid the media won't help repair his image. But no one will care as long as he continues to play well.
--G Jason Kidd has some advice for Western Conference coaches when selecting reserves for the All-Star team.
"The thing that should be recognized," Kidd said, "is Jet (Jason Terry) for the All-Star team."
Terry scored 21 points on Friday, including 13 in the third quarter to help spark the Mavs to a comeback victory. Terry has been on fire all season and is averaging 21.1 points a game, on pace to set a career high. He averaged 22.3 points in December.
--G J.J. Barea is working through an old college injury, a strained muscle in his left shoulder that tends to extend into his upper back.
A game-time decision Friday, Barea played and promptly buried his first two three-point attempts in the second quarter.
"It's nothing that bad," said Barea, who had eight points, five assists and three rebounds in 22 minutes.
Barea said he had forgotten about the injury until it flared up during Tuesday's game against Minnesota. He said it became so aggravated that his left arm went numb down to his hand.
He's tried to wear a shoulder sleeve since to keep the muscles warm, but to no avail.
"I feel like a robot when I put that on," he said.
MEDICAL WATCH
--G-F Jerry Stackhouse (right heel) is out indefinitely.
