Mavericks have distractions, Nuggets have swagger and 2-0 lead heading into Game 3

Mavs have to overcome Nuggets, distractions

DALLAS — Sure, the Dallas Mavericks have distractions.

Josh Howard sat out practice Thursday because of his sprained right ankle and the sore left one that has bothered him much of the season. Dirk Nowitzki faced questions about the arrest of a woman at his home.

There is also that little on-the-court issue against the Denver Nuggets — that whole one about losing both games at Denver to start the Western Conference semifinal series.

“Being down 2-0, we’ve definitely got a distraction in the sense we didn’t play in the fourth quarter,” Jason Kidd said following the Mavericks’ first practice since losing Game 2 on Tuesday night. “The game late gets a little bit out of hand.”

And so will the series if the Mavs aren’t able to change that trend in Game 3 Saturday in Dallas.

“We’ve got to keep scoring, we’ve got to keep making baskets and not allow them to run out and get easy plays,” Jason Terry said. “You turn the ball over, they get a layup. You miss a shot, they get a layup. That has kind of been repetitive.”

The Nuggets have been physical and fast in this series, outscoring the Mavericks 54-13 in fastbreak points so far. And they have been best when it counts most.

Denver only led by three at the start of the fourth quarter in Game 2, then went on a 16-2 run before winning 117-105. That came after a 14-point Game 1 victory accomplished in similar fashion.

After five consecutive first-round exits for Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets, they are 6-1 this postseason with the wins by an average margin of 25 points — take out the 58-point rout at New Orleans and it is still a 15-point margin.

“The city’s on fire right now. We’re loving it.” Anthony said. “We just want to keep giving it to (the fans). … Hopefully we can keep it going as long as possible.”

Their only loss in the postseason was 95-93 in Game 3 at New Orleans, when the Nuggets scored the first 10 points, had a 20-6 lead and couldn’t hold on. So is that a lesson learned for Denver when going to the opposing court for the first time in a series.

“There’s a growing up process that some of our guys haven’t gone through. We made a mistake in Game 3 in Round 1,” coach George Karl said. “We’ve talked about maybe being a little too happy and to be a confident team but understanding that being hungry and humble is better than being cocky and arrogant.”

While the Mile High City is excited, there are questions in Big D about Howard’s health and Nowitzki’s personal life.

Howard, who missed 22 games in the regular season because of his left ankle, sprained the right one in Game 1 and was limited to only a few early minutes in Game 2. He didn’t stop to talk to reporters at the end of practice Thursday, when he rode a stationary bicycle.

“We’re hoping that he’ll be able to go Saturday, but can’t give you a definite (answer) at this point,” coach Rick Carlisle said.

Nowitzki offered no explanation about the arrest of a woman at his home and declined comment when asked about his relationship with Cristal Taylor, who was apprehended on a probation violation and theft of services warrants Wednesday before the team had returned from Denver.

“It’s pretty obvious that I’m going through a tough time in my personal life right now,” he said. “I’m not at the stage where I can talk about it yet and feel comfortable talking about it.”

But Nowitzki, who has scored 28 and 35 points so far in the series, said he would be ready for Game 3 and was “focusing in on basketball as much as I can.”

Terry said there is no reason to be concerned about Nowitzki.

“He was in here at practice (Thursday), going hard and we were going at it,” Terry said. “Everybody’s focus here is on Game 3 and getting that first W.”