Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said that Josh Howard could have played Saturday night in Portland, "but he wouldn't be anywhere near 100 percent." With a playoff berth clinched, however, Johnson chose to keep Howard inactive and on the bench in street clothes.
Jerry Stackhouse missed his eighth consecutive game with a strained hamstring and still is on target to play in the season finale Wednesday at home against the Hornets.
The Mavericks apparently are missing Howard's defense. The first half just ended in Portland and the Blazers are leading 64-50.
-- Jan Hubbard
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