Dirk Nowitzki News

Dirk Nowitzki had a season-high 32 points to help the Dallas Mavericks put together a team-record rally in a 105-99 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors last night. via New York Times

“Absolutely. We’ve talked about it as a staff.”

There was a subtle change in the Mavericks’ playing rotation in their last game. via Dallas Morning News

“If you play together for a long time, you know where your teammates want the ball, where they can be effective for the team and you just learn stuff. You just get smarter and more experienced.”

Devin Harris was in the middle of dissecting and complimenting Dirk Nowitzki’s evolution as a player when he paused for a brief, but good-natured complaint.

‘He’s out-assisting me, and I don’t really appreciate that,’ Harris said, smiling.

That was before the Mavericks’ 108-105 victory over Memphis on Saturday, when Harris — who obviously was on a mission — had eight assists and regained the team lead from Nowitzki, whose assist totals have improved significantly this season.

In nine previous seasons, Nowitzki averaged 2.6 assists per game with a career-high 3.4 in 2006-07. He was averaging more than five until Saturday when he had only two, which dropped him to a 4.8 average, still good for second on the team behind Harris’ 5.3. Read more

“We owe it to our fans and to our organization and Mark [Cuban] and to ourselves to try to win every game”

Avery Johnson got one of those quizzical looks on his face when he was asked about the milestone he was about to hit. via Dallas Morning News

Dirk Nowitzki poured in 21 points and hit the go-ahead free throws with 30.9 seconds left, as Dallas held off the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-105, at American Airlines Center. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“He brings a tremendous work ethic, great skill, consistency and excellence game after game.”

Dirk Nowitzki heads the list of the five greatest players in the history of the Dallas Mavericks franchise, as voted on by a panel of USA TODAY experts that included editors, reporters, Hall of Famer Jack … via USA Today

NBA: Mavericks/76ers Mavericks 99 76ers 84 DALLAS Jason Terry scored 12 of his 25 points during a big third-quarter run as the Dallas Mavericks sent Philadelphia to its third straight loss, 99-84. Dirk Nowitzki … via KXMA-TV Dickinson

“Early on you’re out there thinking too much and I just really tried to just focus and play tonight.”

The Dallas Mavericks won their first Southwest Division title last season, unseating the two-time defending Southwest champion San Antonio Spurs. via KXII-TV Sherman

“He’s not right, we’re taking a different approach”

By JEFF CAPLAN DALLAS — At least one half of the Mavericks’ starting backcourt looks to be back for the long haul.Devin Harris finally made his home debut as the Mavericks’ starting point guard Tuesday night … via Star-telegram.com

“Half the people don’t know what the hell they’re talking about to be honest with you”

SAN ANTONIO - Kobe Bryant played to a small audience after a short Lakers practice Tuesday afternoon but he was not the least bit reluctant to use some of his prime-time material.

Kobe the jokester. Who knew it?

Bryant came to Texas for the first time since preseason rumors had him coming to the Mavericks in a deal that would have ensured the first-ballot enshrinement of Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bryant to Dallas in any deal that would not involve Dirk Nowitzki? If Cuban and Nelson managed that, their faces should be chiseled on a mountain. Read more

After what was undoubtedly the worst loss so far this season - ‘a 91-82 loss in Portland to a young Trail Blazers squad - ‘it was nice to see Dallas recover at home. via MVN - Recent Articles

Dirk Nowitzki flirted with a triple-double as Dallas used a strong second half to douse Philadelphia, 99-84, at American Airlines Center. via Austin American-Statesman

“I don’t think we could buy a basket tonight.”

The NBA’s Rookie of the Year sure showed up the league’s Most Valuable Player. Brandon Roy scored a career-high 32 points and added seven assists and the Trail Blazers ended a 13-game losing streak to the … via The Boston Globe

The streak had been a franchise record for the Mavericks over a single opponent. via KATU-TV Portland

“Go up there and ask No. 41 how many shots he gets when I’m setting picks for him, how wide-open he is”

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News esefko@dallasnews.com Erick Dampier is close to putting on a uniform for the first time this season. via WFAA-TV Dallas