25-year old center Ian Mahinmi is starting to really push Brendan Haywood for minutes.  Mahinmi has played in 19 games (0 starts) for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 20.3 minutes, 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  He is shooting 61.8% from the floor, which is pretty darn impressive even though most of the shots are coming from close range.  He will need to improve his free throw shooting as he is only hitting 64.7% so far this year and he gets to the line a lot due to his physical play.  The Mavericks are hoping that Mahinmi keeps improving as they are lacking in the paint both offensively and defensively right now.

The Mavericks have shut down 33-year old starting power forward Dirk Nowitzki for a while due to a knee injury and to work on his conditioning as he didn’t start the season in tip top shape.  Nowitzki has played in 16 games (all starts) so far this year for the Mavericks and he is averaging 30.9 minutes, 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.  His shot has been off this season, especially from three point range where he is 8 for 34 (23.5%).  The Mavericks have replaced Nowitzki in the starting lineup with Lamar Odom and it hasn’t worked out so far.  Odom has started 3 games while Nowitzki has been out of action and he is averaging 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.  Maybe Coach Carlisle thought this would jumpstart Odom’s season, but it hasn’t workout out that way yet.  Odom has now played in 19 games (3 starts) for the Mavs so far this year and he is averaging 21.0 minutes, 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.  He has shot lousy from the floor (32.9%), the three point line (24.1%) and the free-throw line (58.9%) so far this year.  The Mavericks better hope that Nowitzki gets healthy soon, because Lamar Odom is showing no signs of snapping out of his year long funk.

The Mavericks were outscored 53-36 in the second half last night and it did them in.  Jason Terry led the way for the Mavericks with 17 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.  Shawn Marion also had a solid game with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot.  Rodrigue Beaubois pitched in with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots off the bench.  The Mavericks are now 11-8 on the year.

The Mavericks held the Suns to 37.3% shooting from the floor on Monday Night and it was a big key to victory.  Shawn Marion led the way for the Mavericks in this game with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.  Ian Mahinmi also had a huge game off the bench for the Mavs with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocked shots in 29 minutes on the floor.  Jason Terry (12 points, 4 assists and 4 steals), Lamar Odom (11 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists) and Brendan Haywood (10 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist in 19 minutes) also pitched in for the Mavericks.  The Mavericks are now 11-7 on the year.

The Mavericks held the Hornets to 37.2% shooting from the floor last Saturday Night and that helped them overcome not having Dirk Nowitzki due to a knee problem.  Lamar Odom (16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists) and Delonte West (16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot) led the way for the Mavericks in this game.  Shawn Marion also had a solid game as he finished up with 14 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.  Jason Terry only shot 3 of 16 from the floor but he still finished up with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.  The Mavericks are now 10-7 on the year.

The Mavericks shot 52.1% from the floor last Thursday Night and it helped them get a nice road win in Salt Lake City.  Shawn Marion led the way for the Mavs with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in this game.  Rodrigue Beaubois also had a very solid game as he finished up with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots in only 18 minutes on the floor.  Dirk Nowitzki (12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist), Lamar Odom (11 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot) and Jason Terry (10 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist) also pitched in for the Mavericks.  The Mavericks are now 9-7 on the year.

The Mavericks left in all on the court last Wednesday Night, but they fell just a tad short to the Clippers.  Dirk Nowitzki only shot 6 of 18 from the floor but he still led the way for the Mavericks with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocked shots.  Delonte West also had a solid game with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.  Ian Mahinmi (13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocked shots), Shawn Marion (12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals) and Jason Terry (12 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot) also pitched in for the Mavericks.  The Mavericks are now 8-7 on the year.

The Mavericks only shot 35% from the floor last night and it killed them.  Dirk Nowitzki led the way for the Mavericks last night with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist.  Lamar Odom only shot 4 of 12 from the floor but he still finished up with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.  Ian Mahinmi pitched in with 9 points, 10 rebounds and 1 steal in 24 minutes on the floor.  The Mavericks are now 8-6 on the year.

The Mavericks turned up the D again last night as they held the visiting Kings to 25.6% shooting from the floor.  Jason Terry (21 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists) and Vince Carter (16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal) led the way for the Mavericks in this game.  Dirk Nowitzki (14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots) and Shawn Marion (10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists) also pitched in for the Mavs in this game.  The Mavericks are now 8-5 on the year.

The Mavericks shot 52% from the floor and they held the Bucks to 37.2%, so it’s no surprise that they won this game rather easily.  Jason Terry (17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 26 minutes) and Vince Carter (16 points and 2 assists in 18 minutes) led the way for the Mavericks last night.  Dirk Nowitzki (11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists) and Shawn Marion (11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals) also pitched in for the Mavs.  The Mavericks are now 7-5 on the year.