Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle/knee sprain) out indefinitely.
ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse, Small forward Josh Howard, Power forward Malik Allen, Center Erick Dampier. Bench -- Forward Devean George, Guard Jason Terry, Guard Eddie Jones, Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Forward Brandon Bass, Guard Antoine Wright, Forward Juwan Howard, Guard Jose Barea, Guard Tyronn Lue. PLAYER NOTES:
--F Dirk Nowitzki didn't accompany the team to Denver. He's remained in Dallas to work with assistant trainer Dionne Calhoun in the team's HydroWorx pool.
The crux of the rehab currently is working on mechanics and increased weight-bearing activities. There still is no timetable set for Nowitzki's return, though Avery Johnson offered a caveat.
"He's actually walking around pretty good, so we want to just keep him moving in the right direction," Johnson said. "If we get a miracle and he meets us at the end of the trip, fine. But if not, we'll just plan on seeing him when we get back."
--G Jason Kidd said there is a fine line between being aggressive and careless for Kidd. He walks that line.
"I play my best sometimes if I kick the ball into the stands being aggressive," he said. "Some of the turnovers were just the anticipation of guys maybe being in a spot that I thought they would be in and then going the other way. That falls on my shoulders. I have to protect the ball."
Kidd has averaged 9.2 assists and 3.1 turnovers in his first 18 games back in Dallas, which is a solid 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
--C Erick Dampier had perhaps his best game of the season at the right time. He scored 19, just two off his season high, and tied a season's best with 17 rebounds in Tuesday's win over the Clippers -- the first game without Dirk Nowitzki.
"I just came out and played," Dampier said. "With Dirk out, some other players have to step up. We have to look at this as an opportunity."
Jason Kidd was responsible for a number of Dampier's easy baskets by feeding the big man at the rim.
"He's been building," Kidd said. "Each game has gotten better and more comfortable. He's been in this league for a while, so he understands everybody has to pull their weight or more."
--G Eddie Jones has fallen out of the rotation after spending a good part of the season starting. He hasn't played since Feb. 24 and it doesn't appear he'll get any significant playing time before the season ends.
He's talked with Avery Johnson about it and seems understand the situation.
"He said he'll use me if he can," Jones said. "If he can find a spot, he'll use me. That's fine with me."
