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Posted on Wed, Oct. 27, 2004
MAVERICKS CAMP REPORT
By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Day in camp

The Mavericks weren't playing with a full deck Tuesday night.

"We still have three, four, five guys who are going to be in the starting rotation," fill-in coach Avery Johnson said before San Antonio edged the Mavs 98-94 at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs were down to 10 players, three who likely won't make the team. The shortfall was especially evident in the backcourt, as Devin Harris and Josh Howard each played at least 40 minutes, and combined for 29 points.

Johnson praised the team's effort and took responsibility for a couple of botched side-out plays in the final minute. He added that several role players were fighting fatigue in the second half.

New wrinkle

The Mavs are offering a 25th anniversary ticket promotion for the first three home games of the season, Tuesday against Sacramento, Nov. 6 vs. Memphis and Nov. 8 vs. Golden State (Rolando Blackman bobblehead night). Fans can purchase the $25 tickets (normally priced $39) online at mavs.com or by calling (214) 747-6287.

Injury report

The Mavs were without Marquis Daniels (sprained left ankle), Jason Terry (dental procedure), Jerry Stackhouse (right thigh contusion) and Michael Finley (sore right hamstring) Tuesday night. Free-agent hopeful Derek Hood was lost a minute into the game with a right groin sprain. Terry had his wisdom teeth pulled Tuesday and could be out for Thursday's preseason finale.

Mavs preseason schedule


Date Opponent Result
Oct. 13 at New Orleans L 94-87
Oct. 17 at Orlando L 114-93
Oct. 19 vs. Milwaukee L 107-105
Oct. 21 vs. New York W 112-74
Oct. 23 at Milwaukee W 91-89
Oct. 24 at New York L 102-86
Oct. 26 vs. San Antonio L 94-98
Date Opponent Time
Thu. vs. Sacramento 7:30 p.m.

Regular-season opener: Tuesday vs. Sacramento, 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.mavs.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling (214) 747-6287.

-- Art Garcia

NBA COUNTDOWN

The Star-Telegram counts down to the tipoff of the NBA season by ranking all 30 teams. The No. 1 team will be revealed on opening night, Nov. 2.

NO. 7: NUGGETS

Coach: Jeff Bzdelik

Conference: Western

Division: Northwest

Last year: 43-39

All net: The off-season acquisition of former Nets All-Star forward Kenyon Martin immediately put the Nuggets in some rarefied air. Packaged with Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, Voshon Lenard, Earl Boykins and Nene, the Nuggets ought to secure at least the No. 4 spot in the West this season.

Clank: With Kenyon Martin on board, the Nuggets must find enough minutes to keep his backup, Nene, happy. The pressure is on coach Jeff Bzdelik to get this team out of the first round of the playoffs. The Nuggets are believing the (media) hype, and it's up to Bzdelik to help them reach their full potential.