A source said Nowitzki had known long before Game 2 that there were suspicions about his former fianc?e, Cristal Taylor. He then went out and scored 35 points, so his focus should not be an issue. And his teammates echoed that sentiment.

"That's personal,'' J.J. Barea said. "He's part of the family. We support him, and he's got it all under control.

"Basketball is his life, so he'll be ready.''

Jason Terry said any off-court problems are no concern.

"He was in here at practice going hard,'' Terry said of Nowitzki. "Everybody's focus is on Game 3 and getting that first W. Whatever it is, I don't know. We got to get this win. Whatever else is going on doesn't matter. Come to play, strap it up and leave it all out there on the floor.''

Nowitzki was adamant that he will not let his personal life impact his job.

The Mavericks lost the first two games in Denver because they wilted in the fourth quarter. But Nowitzki played well in both games, and the Mavericks remained ultra-confident that returning home for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday will make a huge difference for them.

"We're down 0-2, and I'm trying to focus on Basketball as much as I can,'' Nowitzki said. "I'll be ready. They [teammates] know I'm a warrior. I'll be ready to play.

"We had some tough losses there. We were in both games. I'm going to stay ready. Their fans were unbelievable, and we're going to need the same at home. If we can get Saturday's game, we'll be on the board and make this a series.''

After a day off Wednesday, the Mavericks returned to the court Thursday.

As often happens in situations like this, the players said returning to the court was therapeutic.

"It was the best practice of the year,'' Barea said. "We had crazy energy. I've never seen us like that. I feel good after this practice. I think we're happy to be back home.''

That alone may not be enough. Coach Rick Carlisle said the Mavericks aren't concerned that the Nowitzki situation will linger.

"When you're in NBA Basketball and professional sports for a lot of years, there are a lot of distractions,'' Carlisle said. "If you were in Denver the other night, there's plenty going on there. We'll get through it.''

The Mavericks have experience dealing with controversy.

Last year in the first round of the playoffs, reports surfaced of Josh Howard's occasional, off-season marijuana use. Later, a late-night birthday party was thrown for Howard after the Mavericks had lost to trail, 3-1, to New Orleans, a series Dallas lost in five games.

This issue seems less likely to have any negative impact.

"That's his personal business,'' center Erick Dampier said of Nowitzki. "We don't really know anything about it. We'll let him handle that and not worry about it. I'm sure it won't be a distraction.''