Is the hangover worse than the buzz-kill?

Last night's deplorable loss at San Antonio, which played without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, was inexcusable. But this might be worse.

The Mavericks missed their first four shots and have been blitzed by 13 points from Charlie Villanueva in the first six minutes of the game. They trail 15-7 and look disturbingly like a team that thought it could go through the motions against the Milwaukee Bucks.

That clearly isn't the case.

Maybe James Singleton will offer some energy.

And by the way, Dirk Nowitzki still hasn't been heard from -- no points, no rebounds, no defense.

--Eddie Sefko