ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard J.J. Barea, Small forward Shawn Marion, Power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Center Erick Dampier. Bench -- Guard Jason Terry, Center Drew Gooden, Forward Josh Howard. PLAYER NOTES: --F Josh Howard will likely come off the bench for the time being. He played 23 minutes Friday at Miami, but is expected to sit out Saturday against Charlotte at home.
"It's going to be sore the rest of the year," Howard said of his ankle. "It's just something that I have to deal with and keep playing."
--G Roddy Beaubois has gone from starter to out of the rotation. It's not a demotion, since Beaubois was more of an injury replacement for Josh Howard. Now that Howard is back, however, there currently are not any plans to send the promising rookie to the D-League.
"We haven't even talked about that," general manager Donnie Nelson said.
--C Erick Dampier has been more productive this season, but Friday he had one of the most productive games of his career. He had 20 points and 17 rebounds, marking only the seventh time ever he hit 20 and 15. The last came in 2006.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Quinton Ross (back tightness) is out. He could be returning soon.
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