--F Dirk Nowitzki said he's happy to be heading to his eighth All-Star game -- a Dallas Mavericks record -- in 11 seasons, but that game isn't what really matters to him at age 30.

"It's always a great honor, but at this point in my career the team success is more important to me than being an All-Star," Nowitzki said. "But it's always fun to be there and be around some great players so it should be a fun weekend."

Nowitzki ranks fourth in the league in scoring at 25.7 points a game.

--G Matt Carroll didn't last this long in the NBA by being impatient. But surely he had to think he'd see more playing time in Dallas than Larry Brown was granting him in Charlotte.

That hasn't been the case through six games with the Mavs. He's barely playing. In fact, in Saturday's blowout win over Miami, the 3-point specialist didn't even get on the floor in garbage time.

Still, coach Rick Carlisle says Carroll is ready to play and will play well when he gets in.

"He's doing well," Carlisle said. "He's fine. There just aren't a lot of minutes at that position right now."

--G Jason Terry knows he hasn't been known as a shut-down defender during his career. Revered for his shooting, Terry is having a career-year this season, averaging more than 20 points a game.

Terry also knows that if the Mavs are going to move up the Western Conference standings and have any chance to contend for the title, team defense must improve.

Terry acknowledged that the Mavs' defense has fluctuated to the extremes this season, which has raised questions about this team's heart.

"We're trying to figure it out," Terry said. "We're halfway through the season. We know we have the pieces, we know we have the talent. It's just a matter of us being consistent every night. Offensively we know that we are a great team. But it's bringing that defense up to the level of our offense."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G-F Jerry Stackhouse (right heel) is out indefinitely.