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kriD · 04-04-2006, 05:59 AM

MAVERICKS NOTES

Mavs will undergo an eight-game refresher course

By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Eight games are played before the start of the regular season. Eight games are left before the start of the playoffs.

Can the Mavericks use this stretch, including tonight's matchup with Sacramento at American Airlines Center, as a condensed version of training camp? Is it a chance to get back to the basics and focus on the season that really counts?

"We're using it to kind of revisit a lot of things we had success with, especially on the defensive end," coach Avery Johnson said Monday. "We're always tinkering with different things offensively, but we need to revisit and get back to some of the things that made us competitive on the defensive end."

Trailing Southwest Division-leader San Antonio (57-16) by three games in the loss column, the chances are slim for the Mavs (55-19) to leapfrog the Spurs for the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Mavs know that.

With the fourth seed locked up, using the next 16 days to tie up some loose ends defensively and get a few more healthy bodies into the lineup makes the most sense.

The return of Josh Howard from a hamstring strain two games ago significantly improves the team's perimeter defensive, rebounding and overall athleticism.

Howard estimates he's at about 90-95 percent, but perhaps more importantly, he feels rested after missing most of March. That familiar spring in his step was there Sunday against Denver when he played 33 minutes, scored 20 and grabbed five rebounds.

Does he expect those type of numbers from here on out?

"I don't know about 20," he said, "I just want to get those rebounds up."

Adrian Griffin (hamstring) and Devin Harris (quadriceps) went through light drills and are nearing their returns. Griffin could be back for Friday's game at San Antonio, while next week looks more likely for Harris. Marquis Daniels (strained neck) is a game-time decision against the Kings.

The Mavs have petitioned the league for an exception to sign another player after Keith Van Horn broke his right hand. Van Horn is scheduled for surgery this afternoon with a recovery timetable to follow.

What's certain is the Mavs don't have much time to regain their rhythm and defensive swagger going into the playoffs, though they called Sunday's 103-79 rout of Denver a positive step.

Injury exception

The Mavs admit the odds of the NBA granting a hardship exception to sign an extra player may be long.

"It may not even happen," Avery Johnson said.

The team has done some homework. In addition to preliminary contact with Shawn Kemp, the Mavs brought in Dallas-area resident George Lynch for an informal workout.

If the waiver is granted, and the Mavs hope to know this week, a playoff-tested forward able to spell Dirk Nowitzki is the ideal candidate.

Briefly

Single-game playoff tickets for the first two home games of the first round go on sale at 8 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the American Airlines Center north box office, by calling (214) 747-6287, on mavs.com or through Ticketmaster outlets.

Erick Dampier, asked if the team lost confidence during the losing streak: "No, I don't think so. It was just a bump in the road for us. Every team goes through this at some point in the season.."

04-04-2006, 05:59 AM	#2
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	MAVERICKS NOTES Mavs will undergo an eight-game refresher course By ART GARCIA Star-Telegram Staff Writer DALLAS - Eight games are played before the start of the regular season. Eight games are left before the start of the playoffs. Can the Mavericks use this stretch, including tonight's matchup with Sacramento at American Airlines Center, as a condensed version of training camp? Is it a chance to get back to the basics and focus on the season that really counts? "We're using it to kind of revisit a lot of things we had success with, especially on the defensive end," coach Avery Johnson said Monday. "We're always tinkering with different things offensively, but we need to revisit and get back to some of the things that made us competitive on the defensive end." Trailing Southwest Division-leader San Antonio (57-16) by three games in the loss column, the chances are slim for the Mavs (55-19) to leapfrog the Spurs for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Mavs know that. With the fourth seed locked up, using the next 16 days to tie up some loose ends defensively and get a few more healthy bodies into the lineup makes the most sense. The return of Josh Howard from a hamstring strain two games ago significantly improves the team's perimeter defensive, rebounding and overall athleticism. Howard estimates he's at about 90-95 percent, but perhaps more importantly, he feels rested after missing most of March. That familiar spring in his step was there Sunday against Denver when he played 33 minutes, scored 20 and grabbed five rebounds. Does he expect those type of numbers from here on out? "I don't know about 20," he said, "I just want to get those rebounds up." Adrian Griffin (hamstring) and Devin Harris (quadriceps) went through light drills and are nearing their returns. Griffin could be back for Friday's game at San Antonio, while next week looks more likely for Harris. Marquis Daniels (strained neck) is a game-time decision against the Kings. The Mavs have petitioned the league for an exception to sign another player after Keith Van Horn broke his right hand. Van Horn is scheduled for surgery this afternoon with a recovery timetable to follow. What's certain is the Mavs don't have much time to regain their rhythm and defensive swagger going into the playoffs, though they called Sunday's 103-79 rout of Denver a positive step. Injury exception The Mavs admit the odds of the NBA granting a hardship exception to sign an extra player may be long. "It may not even happen," Avery Johnson said. The team has done some homework. In addition to preliminary contact with Shawn Kemp, the Mavs brought in Dallas-area resident George Lynch for an informal workout. If the waiver is granted, and the Mavs hope to know this week, a playoff-tested forward able to spell Dirk Nowitzki is the ideal candidate. Briefly Single-game playoff tickets for the first two home games of the first round go on sale at 8 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the American Airlines Center north box office, by calling (214) 747-6287, on mavs.com or through Ticketmaster outlets. Erick Dampier, asked if the team lost confidence during the losing streak: "No, I don't think so. It was just a bump in the road for us. Every team goes through this at some point in the season.."