Mavericks Team Report
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:36:29 PST)

The Mavericks are 10-3, putting them among the top teams in the Western Conference. Dirk Nowitzki, however, sees plenty of room for improvement.

"We're winning. That's about the only thing," Nowitzki said. "We're playing some defense. Our defense has actually been really solid. On offense we're shooting in the low 40s, high 30s and that's suspect. We've got to get better."

Dallas is figuring out how to pile up W's without Josh Howard, Erick Dampier and Shawn Marion in the lineup. The Mavs have won five in a row and lead the Southwest Division.

There's been a recommitment to defense, once the staple of former coach Avery Johnson, that has taken hold since training camp. Dallas leads the league with three wins when shooting 40 percent or worse.

Three starters out for Mavericks
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:13:55 PST)
Josh Howard, Shawn Marion and Erick Dampier are out of the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup for their game against the San Antonio Spurs because of injuries. Marion is out Wednesday night with a sprained left ankle sustained at Milwaukee on Monday night. Dampier sat out his third straight game with an unknown illness.

Mavs' Marion sprains ankle against Bucks
(Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:52:49 PST)
Shawn Marion has left the Dallas Mavericks' game at Milwaukee with a sprained ankle and will not return. Marion departed with 2:19 to go in the first half Monday night and the team said early in the third quarter he would not return. The forward finished with six points. The 31-year-old Marion was acquired from Toronto in a four-team, eight-player deal in July.

Dampier rejoining team to fly to Dallas
(Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:08:52 PST)
Mavericks center Erick Dampier is flying to Milwaukee to rejoin the team, a night after being hospitalized for an unspecified illness before Dallas' game against Detroit. Dampier was taken to a Detroit-area hospital after warmups ahead of Sunday night's 95-90 victory over the Pistons. The Mavericks did not release any information Monday about why Dampier needed to be taken to the hospital.

SL: Ariza receives ring; Hornets, Kings discuss Okafor deal
(Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:15:44 PST)
Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your green bean casserole.

Dampier taken to hospital for tests
(Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:18:49 PST)
Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier has been taken to a hospital in the Detroit area after becoming ill. Dampier was out for Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. The Mavericks said Dampier became ill before the game, and was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for further tests. He was accompanied by Mavericks trainer Casey Smith.

Nuggets toast win with shot of confidence
(Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:19:00 PST)
Still sore from last season's loss in the West finals, the Nuggets let the Lakers know they aren't going away.

Loss to Lakers fuels Anthony, Nuggets
(Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:23:00 PST)
Carmelo Anthony can do without the MVP chatter. He just wants to finally play in the NBA Finals.

Suicide lines: Thabeet breaks jaw; Heat confident Wade will stay
(Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:15:22 PST)
Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your baked macaroni and...

Mavericks start slow, beat Rockets 121-103
(Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:24:44 PST)
Erick Dampier isn't content just snatching rebounds and anchoring the Dallas Mavericks' defense. The 6-foot-11 center showed Tuesday night he can contribute offensively too. Dampier scored 14 points on 6 of 6 shooting, grabbed 20 rebounds and blocked three shots as the Mavericks rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 121-103.

Cuban 'not on the prowl' for Dodgers -- or any team
(Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:52 PST)
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who lost in a bid to purchase to the Chicago Cubs, apparently still has some interest in owning a Major League Baseball team. Amid several reports that he'd be interested in buying the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are not for sale, Cuban says "if it's a perfect deal" he's interested.

The 10-man rotation, starring 'Khlodom' on television
(Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:02 PST)
A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and...

Phoenix forecast warming by the day
(Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:38:00 PST)
Despite last season's struggles, Steve Nash and Grant Hill both saw reason to commit to the Suns' future.

Nowitzki scores 29 points, Howard adds 16 to help Mavericks beat Raptors
(Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:31:00 PST)
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks had a perfect night, welcoming back swingman Josh Howard in a blowout win.

Howard makes season for Mavs
(Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:44:52 PST)
Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Howard was in the starting lineup against the Toronto Raptors in his season debut Saturday night. Howard missed all of the preseason and the first five games while recovering from surgery on his left ankle and left wrist on May 22. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he doesn't want to set unrealistic expectations for Howard, who has had limited practice time.