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Say Goodnight, The Party's Over - 97-87

While Dallas made a valiant comeback (after a playoff-franchise-low eight points in the first quarter), San Antonio held it's ground and won the series with a strong fourth quarter. Tim Duncan (early in the game) and Manu Ginobili (late) combined to put the Mavericks away. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

With the best road record in the NBA, you expected the Dallas Mavericks to win at least one game on the road in the playoffs, right?

With the help of the referees (31 free throws attempts for San Antonio compared to 15 for Dallas) and some horrendous coaching from Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle (playing Erick Dampier and Rodrigue Beaubois and then refusing to play them down the stretch), the number seven seed was able to defeat the number two seed in the Western Conference.

"We're thrilled to beat them," Manu Ginobili said after the victory. "We're really proud of it."

"We're not dead yet" - Mavericks-Spurs Tonight at 7:00

The Mavericks will need Caron Butler to step-up yet again if they want to bring this series back to Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The best road team in the regular season is going to have to play like it tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. Unfortunately, in terms of postseason success, history has not been on the Dallas Mavericks' side as of late. Dallas is has lost five straight playoff games on the road and are 2-15 in the last 17 games away from home. But the reality is these Mavs are still alive and, if Game 5 is any indication, they've got a lot more fight in them.

"We not dead yet," Jason Terry said.

Mavs Able Shut Down Spurs Big Three...Again

For the second straight game, the Dallas Mavericks found a way to handle the trio of Tony Parker (above), Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

In Game 4, the San Antonio Spurs were able to overcome a dreadful night from their best three players, thanks to a career game from George Hill.

In last night's game, the Spurs weren't as fortunate as the trio of Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan went a combined 11-31 from the field for a total of 36 points. Parker led San Antonio with 16 points off the bench, as only three Spurs scored in double-figures. Hill had 12 points and Duncan had 11 as nobody was really able to get it going offensively for San Antonio.

"We're upset with how we approached the game," said Ginobili, who scored only seven points in Game 5.

Uno Mas - Mavs Force Game 6 With 103-81 Stomping Of Spurs

Dallas heads to San Antonio as two of the Mavericks' newest additions, especially Caron Butler (above), come up big. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The Dallas Mavericks needed someone besides Dirk Nowitzki to step up in Game 5 in order for them to have a chance to extend the series one more game. Nowitzki had a good all-around night with 15 points (7-14 shooting), nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. But the Mavericks got much more in the form of Caron Butler's career playoff-high 35 points, to lead all scorers, as the Mavericks dominated Game 5 in Dallas against the San Antonio Spurs.

"He had a great rhythm going," Coach Rick Carlisle said.

Last Stand? Mavs-Spurs Tonight At 8:30

Rick Carlise has the unenviable task of being only the ninth team in NBA history to climb out of a 3-1 hole to win the series. Luckily for Carlise, not only has he done it before, so has one of his best players. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Down 3-1 in their best-of-seven-series, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in the nearly impossible situation of having to win three straight games to keep their playoff-hopes alive.

It's obviously not where the Mavericks pictured themselves after four games, especially after their Game 1 victory. But, hey, the Mavericks do play two of the three at home and the Spurs just won in the same format to take the 3-1 series lead. Here are a couple more reasons for some optimism going into Game 5.

Shawn Marion and Rick Carlisle Were on Two of the Eight Teams That Made History

Rangers Split Four Game Series With Tigers

A couple of big wins, a big loss, and yet another late-inning collapse (this time by Neftali Feliz, pictured above) has Texas stuck at three games below .500. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Four games in four days and the Texas Rangers (8-11) seem to be stuck in neutral.

The four-game series against the Detroit Tigers (11-9) started promisingly enough, with the Rangers winning two of the first three. However, with a shot at winning it's first series in nearly two weeks, the bullpen folded again and allowed the Tigers to even the series.

Season On The Brink - 92-89

Thanks to George Hill's career-night, along with a horrendous night on offense, the Mavericks find themselves one loss away from a very long offseason. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The good news is the Dallas Mavericks were able to put the defensive clamps on the San Antonio Spurs' big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker in a hotly contested game Sunday night. The trio combined to make only nine of 34 attempts from the field for 31 points. Duncan (1-9, four points), Ginobili (4-16, 17 points), and Parker (4-9, 10 points) each found it difficult to get it going on the offensive end - thanks to some sharp Mavs' D.

Unfortunately for Dallas, it allowed George Hill to get into the lane at will and hit uncontested shots all night long. The 23-year-old scored a career-high 29 points and was the driving force (pun intended) in the Spurs' third quarter take-over.

"He really earned our trust all season long and he's responding in the playoffs in a tough situation," Ginobili said after the game. "The way he stepped up today and lead us was impressive."

Mavs Fall Short in San Antonio - 94-90

Tony Parker and the Spurs came back in the fourth quarter to defeat the Mavericks and take a 2-1 series lead. Parker's lay-in with 18 seconds left sealed the win for San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Yet again, a break in focus has done the Dallas Mavericks in.

In what was a close game throughout, the San Antonio Spurs were able to make a run when it mattered most in the fourth quarter. Dallas led 68-59 with 3:08 left in the third before San Antonio went on a 7-2 spurt to end the quarter and followed that up by outscoring the Mavs 28-20 in the fourth.

"You've got a nine-point lead in the latter stages of the game," said Jason Terry, who scored 17 off the bench. "A good team, a championship team, hold that lead and walks away with it."

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Rangers End 6-Game Skid...

But find themselves in last place in the American League West after the first 15 games of the 2010 season. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Whether it was bullpen issues (game one) or faulty starting pitching (game two), the Rangers found different ways to lose to the Boston Red Sox (6-10). The Texas Rangers (6-9) had a lead going into the eight inning of the first game but blew it late, then came back to tie it up in the second game but failed to capitalize; losing the first two games in walk-off fashion. However, they did close out the series strong.

Recaps:

In Tuesday's game, the Texas Rangers were able to make some history.

Cowboys Trade Up, Take Oklahoma State Wide Receiver

Dallas swapped first round picks with the New England Patriots and took Dez Bryant (above) with the 24th overall pick. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)  

The Dallas Cowboys have gotten off to an aggressive start in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Dez Bryant, ranked in the top-15 in overall talent by most observers (and even top-10 by others), has fallen to Dallas late in the first round. The Cowboys have given up their first rounder (27th overall) and a third (90) for the Patriots first rounder at 24 and a 4th round pick.

This is a ballsy move from the Cowboys who, in the last decade, have rarely gone offense with their first pick. In fact, Dallas has only two picks on that side of the ball in the last 13 years and both of those picks (Felix Jones and Bryant) are in the last two seasons. It also bucks a previous trend (think Randy Moss in 1998) of passing on talented players based on "character issues". This is a young guy who at least deserves a chance to succeed before he is automatically labeled a screw-up.

2010 NFL Draft - What Will Dallas Do?

The Dallas Cowboys have the 27th overall pick in tonight's prime-time NFL draft. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

With six picks in this year's NFL draft and coming off of an 11-win season along with a playoff victory for the first time in over a decade, I feel like the Cowboys need to focus on drafting the best player available, regardless of position.

Who Let The "Dogs" Out - Spurs 102 - Mavs 88

Richard Jefferson rebounded from a rough start to the playoffs, scoring 19 points and it seemed as though he had some extra motivation after his coach's "played like dogs" comment after game-one. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

Love him or hate him, you have to give Spurs' Coach Gregg Propovich credit for this one, he certainly pushed the right buttons. Tim Duncan (25 points), Manu Ginobili (23 points), and Tony Parker (16 points and eight assists off the bench) certainly did their job, but the resurgent play of Richard Jefferson put San Antonio over the top. Jefferson made 7-12 baskets for 19 points after scoring only four points total in game-one as he provided another consistent scorer for an already potent Spurs' lineup.

"Richard was huge for us tonight," Popovich said. "He didn't have a great game in game-one obviously. But tonight he was in attack mode. He looked for his jump-shot, he drove it, he rebounded, he worked hard on [defense].

"He was really important."

2010 Dallas Cowboys Schedule

As of now, the 2010 season does not look easy for the Cowboys. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

Here is the full schedule, with thoughts from the Dallas Morning News.

The week-four bye week is certainly disappointing but, obviously, the schedule as a whole looks pretty difficult. Former Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb plays his first game as a Washington Redskin in week one in D.C. versus the Cowboys. Three of the past four games are against the Skins' and Eagles so that could be a challenge depending on each team's performance after the blockbuster trade.

Swept In The City

Rangers blow three-game set with the Yankees in New York, prove there's still much work to be done - especially in the fielding department. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Three-days, three-games and three-straight losses by the Texas Rangers (5-7) to the New York Yankees (9-4). The Rangers were outscored by a combined 17-6 in a series that showed Texas has a long way to go to catch up to the likes of the Yankees.

Show-Stopper

Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points as the Mavericks took game one at home, 100-94. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News,Louis DeLuca)

In last season's postseason against the San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki was unable to get into a scoring groove thanks largely to Spurs' Coach Gregg Popovich's relentless double-teams. This time around, Pop elected to go mano-a-mano with the Dallas Mavericks' superstar and he made them pay to the tune of 12-14 shooting and a game-high 36 points.

"We're going to need him to keep delivering big-time for us," Coach Rick Carlisle said.

Mavs-Spurs Round One, Game One Tonight

The Dallas Mavericks take on the San Antonio Spurs in what will be the 24th game between the two teams in the postseason, which is the most games the Mavs have played against any opponent in the teams history. The Spurs hold a 12-11 edge coming into the game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay/Don Ryan)

Get your popcorn ready because this is going to be an exciting series between two teams that are all too familiar with one-another. While each team has their newcomers, the mainstays for each team have been through the many playoff battles between the two teams. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili for the Spurs and Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Erick Dampier for the Mavs all know each other very well and there isn't exactly any love-lost between the two teams.

"It feels like we play them [the Spurs] every year in the playoffs anyway," Nowitzki said, "So it seems fitting."

D-Town Sports Radio 4-16-2010

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Rangers Split Last Two Games, Win Series 2-1 Against Indians

Pitching remains a strong point for Texas as they've now won two straight series. Colby Lewis (above) struck out 10-batters and won his second straight decision Wednesday night in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

As the world turns, and a more exciting sport is preparing for it's climactic finish, the Texas Rangers (5-4) are playing games number eight and nine of 162. Why read this article then, you ask? Well because you love baseball and your not writing this crap, so you are free to divide your time between two sports. Enjoy it buddy!

(For those who don't like baseball, just treat this like a Meg-episode on Family Guy and look over some Mavericks posts.)

Wednesday:

The Rangers' starters continue to pitch extremely well early-on in the season.

Mission: Accomplished

The recent five-game winning streak and subsequent clinching of the number two seed has the Mavericks feeling confident going into the playoffs. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

After two straight losses at home April 1 and April 4 to the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks knew they had to get it in gear with only five games before the playoffs. At the time, frustration was oozing out of the Mavs locker-room, especially as Dallas was struggling to hold on to the number two seed. But the goal of winning-out was echoed by many Mavericks players and, five games later, that goal has been accomplished.

"We accomplished our goal," reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry said."Our goal was to win all five and have our confidence high and be playing the right way, the right type of basketball. Mentally, it's gotten us ready."

"We wanted the number two spot, we got it."

Mavs Hold On Against "Resting" Spurs - 96-89

The Spurs rested both Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan as Caron Butler (4) and the Mavericks took care of business, clinching the number two seed at home. The Mavs will take on the Spurs starting this weekend in round one of the 2010 NBA playoffs. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

To say that Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich is trying to push buttons (for his own team and as bait for the Mavs) would be an understatement. The San Antonio Spurs (50-32) head coach rested arguably his two best players (Duncan and Ginobili) - and played Tony Parker only 29 minutes - as the loss to the Dallas Mavericks (55-27) guaranteed a Mavs-Spurs first-round matchup.

"Well, I'm tired of those guys," Popovich said, tongue firmly in cheek. "They haven't done a darn thing for us for quite a while so I wanted to send them a message that we're a little bit angry at them."

Coach Rick Carlisle had his own theories on the matter.

Playoff Preview?

The Mavericks take on the Spurs, tonight in Dallas, in a game that will decide who plays who in the first round of the playoffs. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp/David Zalubowski)










It appears as though the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs are on yet another playoff collision course. The game tonight decides whether the Mavs take on the Blazers or the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Either way Dallas has home-court advantage, but lets take a look at the possibilities.

Playoff Implications

If Dallas wins, they clinch the second seed in the Western Conference while the Spurs would clinch the seventh seed.

Mavs Make It Look Easy At Clippers - 117-94

Shawn Marion returned from injury and scored 21 points, most of them at the basket. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

These are the type of victories that have seemed to be too few-and-far-between this season for the Dallas Mavericks (54-27). Dallas trailed only once all-game to the Los Angeles Clippers (28-53), 4 to 2, nearly two minutes into the first quarter. The Mavs quickly scored 12-straight points and never looked back on the way to their fourth consecutive victory.

"I don't like being comfortable," Coach Rick Carlisle said, doing his damnedest downplaying the win. "I like the results. We have done positive things. Wednesday is going to be key to where we are, though."

Nowitzki Named Western Conference Player Of The Week - Again

The Mavericks have gone 3-0 and Nowitzki has averaged 33.7 points during the last week. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

For the fourth time this season, Dirk Nowitzki has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week.

Four Player of the Week awards is the second-most in the NBA behind Lebron James (6) and the most of any Western Conference player. It's also the sets the Dallas Mavericks record for most in a season.

Just another accomplishment in a long-line of awards for the best Mavericks' player of all-time. It's the 14th time in Nowitzki's illustrious career that he has won the award.

Cruz Blast Lifts Rangers Over Indians In Extra Innings - 4-2

Nelson Cruz set Texas up in the top of the 10th inning, breaking a 2-2 tie with a two-run home run. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

The hottest hitter in baseball refuses to cool-off to start the second week of the 2010 season. Nelson Cruz went 2-4 on the afternoon, with a home-run, a triple, and two huge late-inning RBI leading the Texas Rangers (4-3) to victory over the Cleveland Indians (2-5). Josh Hamilton singled to left to start off the inning and, after a Vladimir Guerrero pop-out, it was Nellie-Time. Cruz jumped on a 1-0 inside sinker, absolutely crushing it to deep-left field.

"I just feel really comfortable right now," Cruz said. "I was looking for a sinker there and he threw it. In that situation, to put us ahead, it was very exciting."

Marion Returning To Action For The Mavericks

The Matrix returns tonight, looking to give Dallas a boost after sitting out the last three games. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

The Dallas Morning News reported this earlier today, Shawn Marion will be back in the lineup tonight for the Dallas Mavericks. He will get the start after missing the last three games, all Mavericks wins, due to a strained left oblique muscle.

Texas Takes Series From Seattle

The Rangers' offense, starting pitching carries team to 2-1 series victory over the Marines while the bullpen blows series sweep. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

The Texas Rangers (3-3) could be looking at a whole-lot better record right now had their bullpen been able to close out some would-be victories in the first week of the regular season. The ninth inning has been the worst as Frank Francisco has two blown saves in three appearances and an ERA at 27.00. As a result of Francisco's ineffectiveness at the closer position, second-year player Neftali Feliz was moved into the role. Luckily for Texas, both the Rangers' bats and starting pitching have been excellent.

Butler Bouncing Back

Caron Butler has been able to find some consistency with his jump shot recently after a rough stretch to end March. (AP Photo/Robert Durell)

Things are finally starting to turn around in the right direction for the Mavericks' Caron Butler. After making only 11 of 36 shots (31 percent) during a four-game stretch from March 29 to April 3, in which he averaged only eight points a game - half of his 16 per game average this season. The final two games of that span, back-to-back losses at home to the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma Thunder, Butler scored only 11 total points and missed 15 of the 18 shots he attempted (20 percent).

But Butler has rebounded in a big way during the Mavericks current 3-game winning streak.

Mavericks Overthrow Kings, 126-108

Jason Kidd's triple-double helped the Mavericks to their third straight victory over Tyreke Evans and the Kings. (AP Photo/Robert Durell)

Game number 80 of the 2010 season, second night of a back-to-back, oldest team in the NBA - there were many things working against the Dallas Mavericks (53-27) as they tried to secure the second seed in the Western Conference Saturday night in Sacramento. But none of those things seemed to have any affect as Dallas started the game off strong and never let up, sustaining their energy-level all evening long against the Sacramento Kings (25-55). This allowed Mavs' starters to get some rest after guys played heavy minutes Friday night in Portland.

"We talked this morning about getting a big emotional win [Friday in Portland] and not having a letdown," Dirk Nowitzki said. "We came out and set the tone early, pushing the ball and building the lead. And we kept making timely shots when we needed them."

Mavericks Battle Blazers, Seal Southwest Divison Title- 83-77

Dirk Nowitzki scored nearly half of the Mavericks total points (40) as he led Dallas to it's third division title. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

What could be a first round playoff series preview Saturday between the Dallas Mavericks (52-27) and Portland Trail Blazers (48-31) had all the intensity and story-lines of a Game 1.

Three technicals were assessed (all on the Blazers) and Portland's raucous crowd was nothing short of vicious all evening long. At one point during the fourth quarter, Mavericks' broadcaster Mark Followill said he felt like a "riot was about to break out." It got so heated at one point several Blazers fans were ejected from the game for arguing with officials and throwing objects onto the court.

Rangers Struggles With Command Lead To Two-Game Skid

Texas falls back down to earth, losing two straight after their uplifting opening day victory. (AP Photo/ Jeffery Washington)

On Tuesday night, Rangers' pitchers struggled with their command. Starter Rich Harden walked five batters on the evening in 3 2-3 innings, culminating in walking in two runs with the bases loaded before being pulled.

"I felt like I had good stuff, but they made me throw a lot of pitches," Harden said of his first start in a Rangers uniform. "I lost my command that last inning and that's what hurt me."

With Balanced Attack, Energized Mavs Maul Grizzlies - 110-84

Six Mavericks scored in double figures, every player that saw game action scored and the team showed a defensive intensity that had been lacking in recent games as they dominated the Grizzles at home. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News,Tom Fox)

This is the type of game the Dallas Mavericks (51-27) needed after two straight crushing losses at home.

Caron Butler broke out of his recent two-game 3-15 shooting slump, scoring a game-high 23 points on 10-17 shooting and six Mavs scored in double figures as Dallas snapped a two-game skid in beating the Memphis Grizzlies (38-28).

"When we defend well and don't turn it over, it's going to lead to more quality shots," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "It was a needed win. We had a lot of guys who contributed and played well for us."

Opening Day Fireworks - Rangers Win 5-4

Two Texas late-inning rallies were capped off by a Jarrod Saltalamachia (center with helmet) base-hit that gave the Rangers the walk-off victory. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Going into the seventh inning, it seemed hopeless for the Texas Rangers (1-0). Shaun Marcum and the Toronto Blue Jays (0-1) had shut down the Rangers highly-touted offense to the tune of a no-hitter, one out into the seventh inning.

Scott Feldman allowed a couple of home-runs early in the game, as Adam Lind (solo) and Vernon Wells (two-run with Lind on base) were able to take last year's 17-game winner deep and Toronto had a 3-0 lead at the end of three. The tide began to turn as Feldman regained his composure, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters he faced and keeping the Rangers within striking distance.

Rangers 2010 Predictions

Dallas area pundits offer their predictions on the upcoming Rangers season.

In my opinion, this is the Rangers year. With Cliff Lee for the Mariners on the disabled list to start the season and the Angels looking as vulnerable as ever, Texas has the ability to win less than 95 games and still win the division. I see them taking another step-up this season, winning 90-93 games, and staying in a heated battle with the Angels all-season long. This was the season that everyone targeted for Texas to finally make their push so it's time to show up. But, as all Stranger-Rangers fans know, this thing could go south in a hurry - especially considering Ron Washington's coke revelation earlier in Spring Training. I'm tempering my expectations, because this is the Texas Rangers, but this team has the best shot for the playoffs of any team in the past 10 seasons.

Here is ESPN's full preview.

Texas and the Toronto Blue Jays started at around 1:05, I am late to the party as I thought it was going to be a night-game. Texas has lost seven of the last eight season-openers.

Rangers Season Preview - Position Players

Josh Hamilton looks to rebound from an injury-plagued 2009 season and the young players look to show their ready for a full season. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

(If you missed them, you can find the starting pitching preview here and the bullpen preview here.)

Normally, every year the Texas Rangers offense is based upon a high-scoring, home run hitting attack. Last season, Texas used a speedy, small-ball offense that used steals, bunts, and hit-and-runs to perfection. This season, the Rangers look to keep the same offensive philosophy but add some pop with newcomers like Vladimir Guerrero and guys who dealt with injuries last season like Josh Hamilton.

Here are your opening day 2010 Rangers:

Mavs Lose Second Straight At Home As Thunder Hang On 121-116

Struggles at home continue as the Mavericks' late-game comeback attempt falls short, while Kevin Durant and the Thunder celebrate clinching a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

The Dallas Mavericks (50-27) can't keep doing this to themselves. In the last three games, Memphis led by 12 in the fourth quarter, Orlando by 18, and Saturday night the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-28) led by as many as 19 points (108-89) with 6:18 to go in the final period. Playing catch-up down by double-digits every game in the fourth quarter is a recipe for disaster, evidenced by the Mavs' 1-2 record in those contests.

Dallas did battle back, using a hustling full-court defense, with a 17-2 run that cut the lead to 110-106 with 2:40 left. It wasn't enough, however, as the Mavericks' lack of defense for the majority of the game led to their demise. The game was sealed, fittingly, after Dallas cut the lead to 113-109 with :52 to go and a failure to get a hand into the face of Eric Maynord on a 3-pointer put the Mavs down 116-109 with only 24 seconds to play.

"I was open for a shot and the shot clock was going down and I was able to knock it down," said Maynord, who knocked down 2-3 from 3-point range for the night.

Rangers Season Preview - The Bullpen

Frank Francisco looks to lead a retooled Rangers' bullpen. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

(For Those Who Didn't Catch It Earlier This Week, Here Is The Starting Pitching Preview)

One thing is almost always true in baseball: in order to get to the playoffs, you have to have a good bullpen. Last year, the Texas Rangers had a strong bullpen with a 3.83 ERA and only 13 blown saves (second-best in the AL). Texas has made some changes this year with last year's setup man C.J. Wilson moving to the starting rotation and former Rangers' starter Darren Oliver and for Orioles closer Chris Ray taking his place.

Here's a look at who is projected to be in the pen and their prospective roles.

Dwight Howard On Defense

The Orlando Magic center had some interesting thoughts on being the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, playing defense in general, and what it would mean to win the award again. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

I spoke briefly with Dwight Howard after Thursday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks and here's what he had to say.

Cowboys Send High-Profile Veterans Packing

'False-Start' Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin to be cut by the Cowboys, agents say.

According to Dallasnews.com, the Cowboys are going to be in the market for both a starting left tackle and strong safety this offseason.

Both Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin's time with Dallas could be considered disappointments.

Energy-Less Mavs Fall Hard To Magic - 97-82

The hot shooting Magic, led by Dwight Howard's (12) dominating play both offensively and defensively, whipped a tired, sloppy Mavericks team into submission. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

The Orlando Magic (53-22) showed the Dallas Mavericks (50-26) what it's like to truly have an elite big-man Thursday night. Dwight Howard scored 17 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, contributed some lock-down defense with five blocks and didn't commit one foul in 43 minutes of game action.

"Coach puts a lot on me to be the backbone of the defense and I just try and do my best to erase mistakes," said Howard, who leads the NBA in both blocks (2.77) and rebounds (13.4).

Mavs Persevere In OT, Get 50th Win - 106-102

After an icy first three quarters shooting, Dirk Nowitzki and the new-look three guard lineup propelled the Mavericks to an improbable victory in Memphis. (AP Photo/Jim Weber)

With 7:16 left in the fourth quarter and the Dallas Mavericks (50-25) down 82-70 to the Memphis Grizzlies (38-36), Mavs coach Rick Carlisle - as he has many times this season - decided to go with the three-guard attack. This time, however, Rodrigue Beaubois remained as the third member of the crew and, paired with Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki and Brendan Haywood, the decision worked to perfection - thanks largely to #41.