Healthy Harris crucial

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MAVERICKS NOTES

Healthy Harris crucial

By DWAIN PRICE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - The health of backup point guard Devin Harris is critical to the Mavericks' long-range goal of winning the NBA title this season.

Harris has the ability to increase the tempo while allowing starting point guard Jason Terry to slide over and play the shooting guard spot. Also, Harris' explosiveness in attacking the basket puts pressure on the defense and gets his teammates in position for open looks.

But if Harris, who has missed 18 of the past 19 games with a strained left quadriceps, is unable to play, it will put a strain on the Mavs offensively and defensively.

"We'll miss his speed, his quickness and his ability to penetrate and break the defense down and create shots for others," Terry said. "And also, defensively, extending the court and being able to pick up and pressure full court."

Harris expects to test his quadriceps tonight and play 15-25 minutes when the Mavs host the Los Angeles Clippers in the regular-season finale for both teams.

He also said he plans to play in the first round of the playoffs, although he felt a pull during some of the transition drills Saturday at practice. That's why he sat out Sunday's game against Utah.

Harris said his main concern is "that we can have a reoccurrence and have the leg swell up again with fluid. But I don't think that's a possibility."

The Mavs have sorely missed Harris' up-tempo game, going 9-9 during his absence. Coach Avery Johnson said he "can go over 10 reasons why it is important" to have Harris back in the saddle.

"If we don't have him, we'll have to move forward like we've done all alone," Johnson said. "[Darrell] Armstrong and Marquis Daniels have given us some minutes at the backup point guard spot.

"[But] Devin takes a lot of pressure off of us in a lot of different ways."

No. 61 is on the way?

The Mavericks (60-21) can set a franchise record for season wins if they defeat the Clippers.

The Mavs also won 60 games during the 2002-03 season.

"We're going out and we'll shoot for it, and I know our fans want it," Jason Terry said. "I was at my radio show [Monday] night [on 103.3 FM] and all the fans were chanting 61 and MVP and championship.

"So everybody's psyched up, and it's a fun time to be a Maverick."