March 9, 2009

Show on Hold for Dallas

Without No. 5, who may miss the entire upcoming four-game road trip, Dallas rallied behind the dynamic-duo of Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry.

The pair combined for 67 points as the Mavs scored with ease during their 119-103 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night at American Airlines Center.

Josh's situation remains equally crucial as Saturday’s win. He received tests on the foot and ankle, which he hurt at Oklahoma City and aggravated Thursday against the Hornets. He is scheduled to see a foot and ankle specialist Monday, when the Mavs will know more on his availability.

"I'm hoping for the best," coach Rick Carlisle said. "But it's Mother Nature at work again. We got great doctors, but if he's in pain and it's affecting him, he can't play. So we got to get him better. Whatever amount of time that takes, it's going to take. So we'll see."

Dallas recently regained Jason Terry back in the line-up and now will have to sustain another injury to one of their top-three scorers.

Terry returned Sunday after missing eight games with a broken bone in his left hand. He scored every point in a 9-0 run late in the third that extended Dallas' lead into double digits.

"Without Josh Howard right now, we have to get our attempts up," Terry said. “It's a big void to fill. Dirk and I taking 20 or 25 shots a night wouldn't be crazy."

Josh missed 11 games earlier in the season with an injured left ankle.

NEXT UP
The Mavs embark on a critical West Coast road trip this week. They play at Phoenix, Portland, Golden State, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Their first test will be against the Suns (34-29) on Tuesday. Dallas currently has a four game lead on the Suns for the eighth and final Western Conference Playoff spot.

Earlier this year versus Phoenix, The Show tallied 16 points and three assists.

RELATED STORIES
Dallas Mavericks fall back on reliable plan in 119-103 win over Wizards (Dallas Morning News, Mar. 8, 2009)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/...
Nowitzki drops 34 points as Mavericks hand Wizards fifth straight loss (AP, Mar. 7, 2009)
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