Mavericks point guards still nursing injuries
Harris might not play because of his thigh; Terry has thumb issue
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
Avery Johnson sounded more optimistic about Devin Harris' sore right thigh than the point guard felt about the injury.
Harris went through part of practice on Sunday, but said he still doesn't feel right when he stretches out his thigh on long sprints up and down the floor. While Johnson is hopeful Harris can play tonight against New York, Harris sounded a little more cautious.
"There's not much changed," Harris said. "I practiced a little, and it still felt a little sore. We'll see how it feels. I know we're a little banged up at the position."
Starter Jason Terry has been fighting a bruised right thumb. He's been wearing a wrap to protect it during games.
Even if Harris plays he might not be full strength, and his absence in Denver punctuated his importance to the Mavericks.
"Devin's a big part of what we're doing here," Johnson said. "We need him to be himself."
The mental edge: The Mavericks pored over film of Friday's loss at Denver, and Johnson said the Mavericks really only had two problem areas:
Mental and physical.
"We looked like we were still asleep when we showed up," he said. "But it could have been mental more than anything. I read body language and that look in our eyes – we just didn't have it."
But the defense that is as much about effort also was a problem.
"We thought we had a lot of slippage defensively against the Nuggets," he said. "It was probably one of our worst defensive ratings of the season. But they caused a lot of that."
Briefly: Trade rumors will be circulating over the next 10 days before the deadline. While the Mavericks have been called by numerous teams, including Denver regarding Kenyon Martin, they are expected to be bystanders this trade season. ... The Mavericks' Tux and Tennies gala Saturday night produced the usual amount of revelry and laughs. The highlight, though, came when a night out with Johnson and his wife, Cassandra, was auctioned for $300,000. Three different people offered $100,000 apiece, as long as Marquis Daniels' top hat and cane were thrown in. Not sure which of the three bidders gets to keep the limo, which was part of the package. ... The Mavericks are offering a limited number of Valentine's Day deliveries. Visit
www.mavs.com for details.