Full-Court Press

Mavs achieve goals: win and play low minutes

DALLAS _ The Dallas Mavericks got out of Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks accomplishing what they wanted to accomplish.

Because the Mavs host the Sacramento Kings at 8 Saturday night, they didn't want to play anyone heavy minutes against Milwaukee. Consider that thought accomplished.

Three reserves -- Jason Terry, Lamar Odom and Rodrigue Beaubois -- played more minutes than any of the five starters during Dallas'  102-76 victory. Terry labored for a team-high 26 minutes, while Odom and Beaubois each played 24 minutes.

Starters Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Delonte West each played 22 minutes, Vince Carter worked 18 minutes and Brandan Haywood played 16 minutes.

Afterwards, coach Rick Carlisle said: "I've said this and I'll continue to say it, this season is going to be about depth, energy and spirit, and just keeping everybody into it. The teams that can do that are going to have a chance to be successful.''

-- Dwain Price

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Delonte West emulates J-Kidd

DALLAS _ Delonte West used to emulate Jason Kidd so much when he was growing up that he sort of took over his name.

“They used to call me Little Kidd with the green eyes,’’ West said after Friday’s 102-76 win over Milwaukee. “I used to wear his shoes all the time.

“Coming into the league being a big guard, Gary Payton, I guess they grew up together (in Oakland) battling against each other. He used to tell me all the time I reminded him of Kidd.’’

While that my be true in some respects, West was mindful that Kidd has 105 triple-doubles and he doesn’t have any at all.

“Of course I’m still working on my first triple-double,’’ West said. “I told you I plan on playing 20 more years, so I’ve got a lot of time.

“That’s one of my biggest questions, how do I do it?’’

Kidd missed the past four games while nursing a lower back injury. The Mavs went 4-0 during that time, with West replacing Kidd at point guard and averaging 9.5 points, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game.

Kidd is expected back for tonight’s 8 o’clock game at American Airlines Center against the Sacramento Kings. That’s when West will slide back over to his shooting guard spot, thankful for more time to pick Kidd’s brain again.

 “I’m just embracing this opportunity I have to learn from a guy like that,’’ West said. “Like I said, we’re just praying for a speedy recovery so he can get back in the flow of things leading this team.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs drill the Bucks, 102-76

DALLAS _ On a night Dirk Nowitzki became the 23rd player in NBA history to score 23,000 career points, the Dallas Mavericks cruised to their fourth straight victory with a 102-76 win over the MIlwaukee Bucks tonight at the American Airlines Center.

The Mavs, who host Sacramento at 8 on Saturday night, are 7-5 on the year, while the Bucks dropped to 4-7 overall and 0-7 on the road. It was the Mavs' largest margin of victory of the season and the fewest points the Mavs have allowed in a game this season.

Jason Terry came off the bench to lead the Mavs with 17 points, Vince Carter scored 16, Rodrigue Beaubois had 15 points and six rebounds, Nowitzki tallied 11 and Shawn Marion added 10.

The Mavs led 60-45 at the half. It was their first 60-point half of any kind this season.

-- Dwain Price

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Nowitzki scores his 23,000th career point

DALLAS _ In a game tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks, Dirk Nowitzki became the 23rd player in NBA history to score at least 23,000 points in his career.

The Dallas Mavericks' 10-time All-Star reached the milestone with a free throw with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter. Nowitzki now has 23,001 points and counting.

The only other active players ahead of Nowitzki on the all-time scoring list are Kobe Bryant, who is sixth with 28,232 points, and Keivn Garnet (19th with 23,442 points).

Nowitzki could conceivably pass Robert Parish (23,334), Adrian Dantley (23,177) and Elgin Baylor (23,149), Charles Barkley (23,757) and Allen Iverson (24,368) on the all-time scoring list before this season is over.

-- Dwain Price

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Terry still beaming from meeting President Obama

DALLAS _ It’s been four days since the Dallas Mavericks visited the White House and met President Barack Obama.

But guard Jason Terry is still beaming from what he calls one of the greatest and more memorable days of his life.

“It was just an incredible experience,’’ Terry said after this morning’s shoot around. “But for me being an African American and meeting the first black president, it was something that was historical for my entire family.’’

In a way, for Terry, meeting President Obama was an ever greater feat that winning an NBA title.

“I talked to my grandmother right after it and she was just so proud of me and the accomplishments that I’ve achieved,’’ Terry said. “And just being there and being able to shake the president’s hand, and then seeing his reaction.

“It was a genuine reaction, it was real. And when he shook your hand he spoke directly to you, which means he knows who you are and what you stand for.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs are getting greedy

DALLAS _ After the way they struggled to start the season by losing their first three games in ugly fashion, the Dallas Mavericks have a new mantra.

They’re getting greedy.

Not only have the Mavs won their past three games in impressive fashion. But they believe they can bump that up to a five-game winning streak with victories on back-to-back nights at home against Milwaukee and Sacramento.

The Mavs host the Bucks at 7:30 tonight at American Airlines Center, and entertain the Kings at 8 p.m. Saturday.

“We want to take care of our home court, but rather than talk about the results that we won, we’ve got to talk about how we need to play.’’ Coach Rick Carlisle said. “And that is (to play) hard, smart and efficient.

“These two games are both very dangerous games and neither one is going to be easy.’’

Following this two-game home stand, the Mavs embark on a four-game road trip starting Monday in Los Angeles against the Lakers. They’ll also play the LA Clippers, Utah and New Orleans on the upcoming road trip.

But first things first.

“This is huge,’’ guard Jason Terry said of the two home games against the Bucks and Kings. “We don’t want to take any steps backwards.

“We’re climbing at a steady rate right now. And to come home and do something other than win both of these -- starting with tonight -- would be very disappointing.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Nowitzki needs just three points to reach 23,000

DALLAS _ Dirk Nowitzki is just three points away from becoming the 23rd player in NBA history to score at least 23,000 points.

And Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry believes there’s a very good chance Nowitzki will reach that milestone against the Milwaukee Bucks, who the Mavs host at 7:30 tonight at American Airlines Center.

“Hopefully he’ll gets it tonight, and that means we’ll have a great chance to win,’’ Terry said after this morning’s shoot around. “It’s a big number.

“Big numbers just mean he’s been in the league awhile and been putting in a lot of hard work. It’s another milestone he should continue to hit as he continues to grow throughout his career.’’

Earlier this season, Nowitzki reached two other milestones when he scored his 8,000th career field goal and played in his 1,000th career game.

-- Dwain Price

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Kidd won't play tonight, but West has improved

DALLAS _ Jason Kidd won’t play in tonight’s game against Milwaukee, but is expected to play in Saturday’s game against Sacramento.

The Dallas Mavericks’ starting point guard suffered a lower back injury last week against San Antonio. Tonight will be the fourth straight game Kidd has missed.

With Delonte West starting at point guard, the Mavs are 3-0 since Kidd went down. West has surprisingly stepped up and given the Mavs more than they thought he would at this juncture of the season.

“He’s a competitor,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said of West. “We knew before we got him because that’s what everybody said.

“The guy really competes, and so I think if you look at the fact that we’ve improved defensively in the last six-to-seven games, his setting the tone has really been a big factor in that.’’

West is averaging 10 points, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals over the past three games. His improvement has allowed the Mavs to not rush Kidd back onto the court.

“When you lose Jason Kidd you know right then and there that it’s going to be a collective effort, and I think Delonte has done a great job of coming out and setting the tone defensively,’’ Terry said. “He’s leading by example and he’s running the team well offensively.

“He’s making some great decisions, he’s getting in the lanes and being aggressive to look for his shot when he doesn’t have it. But the impact he’s making the most is on the defensive end.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Carlisle said Odom has to keep pushing

DALLAS _ After Wednesday’s 90-85 win in Boston, Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom said he didn’t believe he has been prepared to play so far this season.

Ironically, in the second half of that game, coach Rich Carlisle said he loved everything about what Odom gave him.

“Lamar made a lot of strides in the second half of that game,’’ Carlisle said after this morning’s shoot around at American Airlines Center. “He’s just got to keep pushing.

“We’ll keep working with him, but I think he’s very close to making a real quantum step up. It’s work. He’s just got to keep going.’’

Guard Jason Terry also believes Odom is close to making a real quantum step up.

“He’s down on the practice court right now putting in some extra time trying to get comfortable with our system,’’ Terry said. “So it’ll be a matter of time, but he’ll start to fit in.’’

Afdter winning the NBA’s Sixth Man Award last year while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Odom is averaging just 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds this year. Most glaringly, he is shooting just 29.5 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from three-point range that has the Mavs shaking their heads.

But Terry has a reason for Odom’s poor play.

“He’s coming out of a system where they kind of just walked the ball up and down the court,’’ Terry said. “Defensively they do a lot of zoning in their man principles, so it’s been a big adjustment for him, but he’s putting in extra time.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Odom said "I'm not prepared, I guess, to play''

DALLAS _ Lamar Odom told Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix what has been well-known for quite some time.

He is struggling thus far in his first season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Asked by the weekly magazine after Wednesday’s game in Boston if he can find a way to succeed in the Mavs’ system, Odom said: “It's hard for me to say. I thought my game was equipped to play anywhere and everywhere.

“I’m not prepared, I guess, to play. I don’t know if there is anything more to say.’’

Odom is averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds so far. That’s no where near the numbers he put up last season when he averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds while becoming the first member of the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA’s Sixth Man Award.

After the 90-85 win over the Celtics, coach Rick Carlisle said: “I loved Lamar Odom in the second half. He played with great energy.’’

Told of that, Odom told Sports Illustrated: “I’m trying to.’’

Asked has it’s been tough to make the transition form playing with the Lakers to playing for the Mavs, Odom said: “When you have relationships with people and there are hard times, you know how to deal with one another. When you don’t, it’s obvious.’’

Odom is shooting 29.5 percent from the field this season, including 18.2 percent from three-point range in 19.5 minutes per game.

-- Dwain Price

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