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MAVERICKS NOTES
Injury doesn't keep Nowitzki out

By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Did the Mavericks' losing streak rush Dirk Nowitzki's return to the court?

The All-Star power forward admits it factored into his decision to return three days after spraining his left ankle.

"We've got to get back on track sooner or later," Nowitzki said. "I always want to play as soon as I can. I don't like to wait until I'm 100 percent. And I'll always put pressure on myself. I want to help the team. I want to be out there. I don't want to sit out too long."

Nowitzki missed only six quarters after he was injured Sunday night at Denver. He sent a charge through the Mavs early Wednesday night at San Antonio, but the Spurs pulled away in the second half to win 94-80.

The Mavs' losing streak has reached three games going into today's noon tipoff against Portland at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs (8-5) last suffered a four-game losing streak in December of last season.

Nowitzki's ankle held up during a pregame workout, leading to his decision to play.

"It's not 100 percent, but it's pain that I can live with and play with," Nowitzki said.

"Looking back at the game now, I really didn't help do anything. I might as well have sat that one out."

Nowitzki might have been too hard on himself. He was the only consistent Maverick against the Spurs, notching team-highs in points (23) and rebounds (11).

The rest of the team struggled to find any offensive rhythm. No player had more than two assists and the Mavs finished with only eight in the game, coming within two of the all-time franchise low.

"We're not the hottest team right now," point guard Devin Harris said.

"We had some good looks at the basket. They're just not falling for us."

In each of their past three losses, the Mavs haven't scored more than 82 points or shot better than 40 percent.

"We're just out of sync," guard/forward Jerry Stackhouse said.

Getting healthy

The Mavs knew the stretch of six games in nine days would be tough, but not having a full squad has added to the frustration.

"I wish we had the whole team for it," Dirk Nowitzki said. "If we had been healthy, this would have been a hell of a week for us. We could have competed with all these teams. We had a great shot in Denver [on Sunday] ... We had a great start. We should have beat Minnesota [on Monday] without me."

The Mavs are 1-3 during the schedule crunch, including three losses this week.

The Mavs finish the stretch with today's home game against Portland and at Memphis on Saturday.

"Hopefully we'll get this thing back on track when we can play at 90 or 100 percent instead of 70 or 80," Mavs coach Don Nelson said.

Nowitzki (ankle), Erick Dampier (hip), Jason Terry (ankle) and Michael Finley (ankle) have each missed games in the past week. Nowitzki, Dampier and Terry are playing despite not being completely healthy. Finley remains on the injured list, though he's making progress.

However, the thought of those players getting back to 100 percent this season could be wishful thinking. Even those without any listed ailments are dealing with a sprain, strain or some other ache.

"Ain't nobody going to be 100 percent, ever," Jerry Stackhouse said. "Not at this point. Guys that are injured are pretty much going to stay injured all season. You just have to deal with it. That's just how it goes."