ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Antoine Wright, Small forward Josh Howard, Power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Center Erick Dampier. Bench -- Forward Brandon Bass, Guard J.J. Barea, Forward James Singleton, Guard Gerald Green, Guard/Forward Devean George.
PLAYER NOTES: --F Dirk Nowitzki said he doesn't get into the whole "slump" thing much, so his first major funk of the season extending four games didn't really bother him. Maybe because with Jason Terry out, Nowitzki is being double- and triple-teamed.
If it did bother him, he took care of business Friday against Oklahoma City with 41 points in 46 minutes. Nowitzki had scored 14, 14, 12 and nine in the last four games.
It was Nowitzki's second 40-point barrage against the Thunder this season and fourth overall. He went for 46 points in December. Nowitzki poured in 21 points in the first half, marking his 12th 20-point half of the season.
--F James Singleton is earning a bigger slice of the pie lately, averaging around 27 minutes in the past four games. He played more than 25 minutes in Friday's win over Oklahoma City. He had another productive game with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and nine rebounds in more than 25 minutes. He narrowly missed his third consecutive double-double.
The journeyman, who played in Europe last season and had knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, seems to have taken over as the Mavs' backup center, allowing Brandon Bass to play more at power forward. Singleton had a key put-back during the Mavs' 16-0 run late in the fourth quarter, another example of how he is becoming the Mavs' most effective offensive low-post player.
--G Jason Terry unveiled a bit of good news Friday. Following a visit to the Mavs' team doctor, Terry said he's been cleared to resume practicing with the team.
"I'm back on the runway," Terry said.
Well, maybe not quite yet. The Mavs won't practice for a few days at least. The team is taking Saturday off and they play Sunday and Monday.
Coach Rick Carlisle said he didn't think Terry would play before Wednesday's big home game against San Antonio. Terry missed his eighth game Friday night while recovering from surgery on his left hand to repair a broken bone.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Jason Terry (fractured left hand) is out two to five weeks.
--G Jerry Stackhouse (right heel) is out indefinitely.
