GDT Mavs@Jazz 9PM ET

[sefant77]

So lets start our run for the playoffs with a win in SLC.

Coach Rick Carlisle feels the Dallas Mavericks have bottomed out.

Dirk Nowitzki thinks his own situation is a work in progress.

Following their 11th defeat in 13 games, Carlisle and the Mavericks are hoping Nowitzki can help them turn things around Monday night against the host Utah Jazz.

Dallas (13-21) is only two seasons removed from winning its first NBA title, and it has reached the playoffs 12 years in a row.

The Mavericks are struggling to replicate their recent success in 2012-13, though, and things only seemed bleaker following Saturday's 99-96 overtime defeat at home to New Orleans, the team with the worst record in the Western Conference.

"It feels like (rock bottom). Yeah, it feels like it. I still believe in the team and I like the guys," Carlisle said. "This is just a tough time and it's important that everybody sticks together and we've got to fight through it."

Having a healthy Nowitzki would surely help, too.

The 11-time All-Star made his return to the starting lineup Saturday, scoring 20 points with six rebounds in 34 minutes. He was averaging 10.0 points and 4.3 boards as a reserve over the previous six games after missing the first 27 recovering from arthroscopic right knee surgery.

"Obviously, I'm not quite there yet, it's still a work in progress, especially playing 30 minutes and then being asked to get the ball down the stretch every time and make something happen, I don't think I'm at that point yet," Nowitzki said. "But I'm going to keep working on going in the right direction and turn it around, pull some of those close games out and get some of those wins."

Dallas could certainly use that since it's lost 10 consecutive games that have reached overtime, matching an NBA record held by three other teams. Seven of those defeats have come this season - five in the past 13 games.

Another one happened at Utah (17-18) on April 16, when Nowitzki scored 40 points in a 123-121 triple-OT loss.

The Mavs, who are opening a three-game trip, didn't fare well in their most recent visit to Salt Lake City on Oct. 31, falling 113-94 while shooting 37.6 percent from the floor. They're 5-14 on the road, losing seven of eight while surrendering 108.9 points per game.

The Jazz have dropped eight of 12 overall, but they're making a brief stop at home, where they are 10-4 while averaging 101.6 points.

Utah will try to continue that success while bouncing back from its worst shooting performance of the season, making 35.9 percent from the field and committing 19 turnovers in a 110-91 loss at Denver on Saturday.

Al Jefferson was one of the major culprits, hitting just 4 of 13 shots and finishing with 12 points. The center may be looking forward to a return home, where he averages 19.9 points compared to 14.9 on the road, but he scored only 12 on 4-of-11 shooting against Dallas in October.

Marvin Williams had 21 points in that meeting, but he is averaging just 5.8 and shooting 32.5 percent in his last six games overall.

Dallas' O.J. Mayo is looking to bounce back from a rough performance. He scored 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting against the Hornets, three days after putting up 30 in a 119-109 OT loss at Miami.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/maveric...4097--nba.html

[dirt_dobber]

GO MAVS!!!

[SMC0007]

I'll stop in to see how its going.

[EricaLubarsky]

107-96 Mavs. Mavs put together some swagger and 30 minutes of decent defense to pull off the comfortable win.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Another OT loss?

[Kante]

Another win!

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Another OT loss?

Going for the record.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Another OT loss?

Signs point to yes.

[vinylstar]

This Jazz team is equipped to exploit one of the Mavs' biggest weaknesses - cleaning defensive glass. I don't like our chances in this game.

[jthig32]

My head is telling me that I'd like to see the Mavs continue to make progress but lose, further cementing a plan of trading for future assets at the deadline.

My heart wants to see Dirk throw down an ultra-efficient 30 points and blow the doors off the Jazz.

The latter sounds a lot more fun, so let's do that one.

[MavsFTR]

I've been thinking along the same lines recently. I kind of see the value in losing, but I still want to win. I guess I'll be happy either way haha

[Lestat_1795]

Go Mavs!

[adonis]

Kaman playing real well

[DevinHarriswillstart]

For all of his negatives, Kaman is still one of the better players on the team. Hot start.

[swish4141]

I foresee a big game in OJ Mayo's future tonight.

[sefant77]

Salvatore in Utah, ew...

[4Dirk1Nowitzki]

Must win?

[g30hd3]

Watching the first Mav game this season. Didn't even know Dirk was back! LET'S GO MAVS! PLAYOFF RUN TIME!

[Dan1]

f* those contested 3's OJ

[sefant77]

refs working nice as usual in Utah

[GermanDunk]

Let´s go Mavs !

[germancow]

jay crowder is the greatest nba player of all time even better than the 2nd best jeremy li

[DevinHarriswillstart]

The team plays almost no defense. We just have to accept that for the time being.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Roddy for three!

[Dan1]

were looking like a team so far, good

[germancow]

i strongly believe that jae crowder should already be in the nba hall of fame because he is such a great athlete, the fabian of the nba.

[adonis]

Did I just see a good defensive first quarter?

[j0Shi]

Dirk was open for an hour at the top of the key. Brand does not see it, swings it to Roddy in the corner who drives and... puts up a floater while Dirk is still open. Luckily we got the three to end the Q anyway.

[nowhereman]

Anyone else's League Pass completely crap out?

[germancow]

jae crowder has made such an impact on the nba that i would compare him to jeremy lin because they are both the best. if jae crowder and jeremy lin where both on the same team they would go 82-0. just sayin

[nowhereman]

Why do we always have so many crappy shooters shooting corner 3s?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by germancow

jae crowder has made such an impact on the nba that i would compare him to jeremy lin because they are both the best. if jae crowder and jeremy lin where both on the same team they would go 82-0. just sayin

German beer is good.

[germancow]

jae crowder is the only mav in my mind to be in the hall of fame

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by sefant77

So lets start our run for the playoffs with a win in SLC.

[germancow]

jae crowder is such a great person and role model. he looks like rico suave of the nba. the only mav in my mind to have his jersey retired

[The Ghost of Championship]

That call on Carter giving Burks ftas was bullshank, but the Jazz are intentionally working Carter tonight. For who knows why.

[sefant77]

horse calls

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Roddy ballin' it lately.

[g30hd3]

B/S calls everywhere

[j0Shi]

Mavs play with a lot of energy, but led to Jazz shooting freebies from now on. But crap officiating as always up there in Mormon country...