Mavs are more than ankle deep

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Mavs are more than ankle deep

Neither injury, illness or erratic play can thwart Avery's rotation

By EDDIE SEFKO / Staff Writer

The Mavericks are going into the first of what figures to be many "biggest games of the year" with four of their top seven players fighting injuries or illness.

And yet they have no reason to panic about Thursday's visit to San Antonio.

Avery Johnson's favorite phrase to describe his team is that they are a work in progress. That may still be true. But the work is further along than it used to be. And the last two games are proof of the Mavericks' progress.

Against Toronto on Saturday, Jerry Stackhouse had 18 points and six assists in the second half. Against Philadelphia on Monday, he barely dented the score sheet.

Against Toronto, DeSagana Diop was invisible.

He returned against the Sixers with seven rebounds, five offensive, to go with six points and a block.

The point is that the Mavericks have figured out that they are 11 players deep.

And while the playing rotation may get shaved to eight players on certain nights, it probably will be a different eight players from game to game and matchup to matchup.

"We're deep when we make it work," says Johnson. "We weren't deep [against Toronto]. We had four and a half players that really committed to what we were doing. That's not deep. We're deep when we have all nine or 10 guys get back on defense, rebounding, containing penetration, and that's when we're deep."

The flip side of that is when they have players who have an off night, they can survive because somebody else picks up the slack.

"We got a lot of guys who can get it done," Stackhouse said. "We're still a little shorthanded. But if we get those guys back against San Antonio, it'll be even better."

Speaking of injuries: The Mavericks are expecting at least three of their wounded to be in uniform for the Spurs game.

Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle), Josh Howard (right ankle) and Keith Van Horn (stomach illness) are expected back at practice today.

Devin Harris (left thigh) is hoping to shave some time off his expected rest time of a week. But with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, his availability is uncertain.

Briefly: The Mavericks rested Tuesday. They had a team brunch that was followed by a routine meeting with NBA personnel. ... The Spurs had a nice warm-up for Thursday's showdown, especially their former Mavericks. Michael Finley hit all eight of his shots, including five from 3-point range, for 22 points against New York. Nick Van Exel hit six of eight shots for 14 points.

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MAVERICKS NOTES

'A' game out of Plan C

By DWAIN PRICE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS -- He might be the team's third-string point guard, but Darrell Armstrong's importance to the Mavericks is invaluable.

Chained to the bench 19 games this season because of a coach's decision, Armstrong has been a beacon of light the past two games. After not playing in three consecutive games, the 12-year veteran came off the bench midway through the third quarter Saturday when the Mavs trailed Toronto, 86-62.

Armstrong energized the crowd and helped turn the game into a scrum match by shutting down Mike James as the Mavs eventually won 115-113 in overtime.

Then against Philadelphia on Monday -- with backup point guard Devin Harris out with a strained left quadriceps -- Armstrong scored six points, grabbed five rebounds and had three assists while spending a lot of time defending Allen Iverson. It's hard to find a third-string point guard who impacts a game the way Armstrong does.

"That's unique for a team to have a guy like me who's been in the league so many years and still has energy at age 37, and can do the things that I do," Armstrong said. "Everybody don't play their third point guard."

Beno Udrih of the San Antonio Spurs and Eddie Houston of the Phoenix Suns are the only other third-string point guards who are having an impact on a championship contending team.

"I'm the third point guard and I've played in crunch time, and I've played when we had to come back on teams and win," Armstrong said. "So that's why I said it's good to have three point guards like this, because you know you're going to get a different pace to the game with each point guard."

With Jason Terry as his starting point guard and Harris as the backup, coach Avery Johnson admitted that it's difficult finding playing time for Armstrong. But as the regular season winds down, Johnson said he must find ways to get Armstrong in the game.

"He has a history now of being able to bail us out in those games," Johnson said. "[But] you can't expect him to always get out there and be Superman."

Terry said although Armstrong doesn't wear a cape, his impact can be felt even when he's not on the court.

"There's no other teammate that I would rather have than Darrell Armstrong," Terry said. "[He's] a guy that just brings tons of energy when he's out there on the court, he knows the game, and he's very savvy.

"Even when he's not in the game, he's in the game. He's standing up over there [on the sidelines], he's barking out defensive signals, and he's always alert."

Armstrong said extra work with strength and conditioning coach Robert Hackett has helped him be prepared whenever Johnson calls his name.

"I'm a professional," Armstrong said. "Professionals keep their minds and their bodies ready to go, and that's what I have done."

Injury update

Forward Josh Howard is expected to practice today after missing the past two games with a sprained right ankle, while point guard Devin Harris (strained left quadriceps) is listed as day-to-day.

Also, forward Dirk Nowitzki said he feels fine after missing part of Monday's game with a left ankle sprain. In addition, forward Keith Van Horn is expected back at practice today after skipping Monday's game with flu-like symptoms.

[Arne]

Good to know that they rested Tuesday. This will help them a lot defensively.

Does anyone else think that bringing Armstrong back in was yet another great descission by Avery, like the Damp benching?

[sixeightmkw]

The injury situation is getting better with Josh and KVH coming back. That will definately help against the Spurs.

[jayC]

I hope Devin is able to return soon. Daniels might have another big game tonight. Daniels deserves to start tonight. He is one of the best passers on the team.

[Dirkenstien]

sixeighttmkw, your signature is quite disturbing.

Here's to all of our guys being healthy and ready to go Thursday when we stomp the Spurs.

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by Dirkenstien

sixeighttmkw, your signature is quite disturbing.

Here's to all of our guys being healthy and ready to go Thursday when we stomp the Spurs.

Dans just trying to feel the goods. HAHA.