[MavsFanFinley]

Howard practices, could play

By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Mavericks small forward Josh Howard returned to practice Monday and could be back on the floor tonight against Washington.

Howard nearly made it through the entire workout at American Airlines Center before fatigue set in. He's dropped about eight pounds from his 6-foot-7, 210-pound frame during a weeklong bout with an upper respiratory infection. He's missed the past three games.

"I'm winded, as you can probably tell," Howard said after the extended practice.

Whenever Howard does return -- his playing status against the Wizards will be determined after this morning's shootaround -- the Mavs defense will certainly receive a boast. Dirk Nowitzki likened the second-year forward to San Antonio stopper Bruce Bowen.

"We basically put him on their best player," Nowitzki said. "It doesn't matter if he's a power forward or a point guard."

Howard's length and athleticism have been missed. With guard Marquis Daniels on the injured list, Michael Finley and Jerry Stackhouse are the only true shooting guards/small forwards on the active roster.

"It's not as good without Josh," coach Don Nelson said of his team's perimeter defense. "Mike and Stack can't guard me."

Abdul-Wahad back

Three months after claiming the Mavs conspired to keep him from playing in the NBA, forward Tariq Abdul-Wahad attended practice for the first time this season on Monday. A virtual non-entity in the team's plans for the past two seasons, Abdul-Wahad has passed the necessary physicals needed to resume on-court activity.

The Mavs had hoped to buy out the remaining three years on Abdul-Wahad's contract. Only half of his $7.3 million salary for next season is guaranteed. The guarantee is 25 percent on $7.9 for the following season.

The Mavs are interested in moving Abdul-Wahad. Though it's unlikely a team would gamble on his playing, a trading partner could be interested in the financial benefits of dealing for Abdul-Wahad. Though his salary cap figure is $15.2 million for the next two years, only $5.6 million has to be paid.

As for the claims Abdul-Wahad made against the team and coach Don Nelson on his French-language Web site in October, Mavs owner Mark Cuban said: "You have to ask him."

Abdul-Wahad declined comment after practice.

Getting defensive

Breaking down the past two games -- Friday's loss at San Antonio and Sunday's win over New Jersey -- revealed improvement across the board.

"There were a lot of things offensively and defensively that we didn't execute as well as we wanted to, but there were a lot of good things," assistant coach Avery Johnson said. "We actually played some really good defense against New Jersey and at the end of the San Antonio game.

"I'm trying to get our team to play that type of defense for longer stretches. We'll do it for four- or six-minute stretches. Now we need it for 12-minute stretches."

The Mavs don't need 48 minutes of that type of defensive intensity, Johnson said. He just wants it up to 38-40 minutes per game instead of the usual 32.

Exclusive club

Dirk Nowitzki had no idea he needed two more points during Saturday's win over New Jersey to reach 10,000 for his career. With a basket tonight, he will join Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre, Derek Harper and Michael Finley in the Mavs' 10,000-point club.

Aguirre accomplished the feat in the fewest games (406) in franchise history. Nowitzki has appeared in 478 games. Finley needed 487 games.

"It's an nice thing to do, but I want to focus on other things," Nowitzki said.

Briefly

• Don Nelson underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Monday and should have the results today. The Mavs coach has been experiencing pain in the shoulder and expects to have surgery.

• Erick Dampier (left knee contusion) didn't practice Monday, but could play tonight. He experienced swelling in the knee after Saturday's game.

• All 15 players on the roster were at practice for the first time this season.