Inside Report: Jazz-Mavericks Preview — Post All-Star break play begins with Mavs hosting slumping Jazz

Earl K. Sneed previews the Mavericks' Wednesday night showdown with the Utah Jazz, as the Dallas squad returns to the court following the All-Star break, hoping to make a strong push towards the playoffs.

DALLAS — The playoff push is about to begin for the Dallas Mavericks.

The All-Star break is over, and now it’s time for the Mavericks (40-16) to get back to work. That push begins on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, who is expected to be without All-Star point guard Deron Williams after a reported multi-player trade, when the Mavericks take the floor looking for what could be a 14th win in a 15-game stretch.

Back in December, the Mavericks handed the Jazz (31-26) a pair of losses. Now, after working second-year guard Roddy Beaubois and 12-year veteran Peja Stojakovic into the fold just before the break, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle says that it’s time for the team to turn its attention to being healthy and playing its best basketball in time for the playoffs.

“We’re fortunate because we got Beaubois two games, we got Peja six games and now those guys get a few days to sort of regroup,” Carlisle said before the mid-season layoff. “And we’ve got 26 games and we’re working to get better.”

The Mavericks enter the second portion of the season sitting six games behind San Antonio in the Southwest Division for second place out West. And the coach adds that each game will take on its own importance while teams jockey for playoff positions in the Western Conference’s postseason picture.

“We’re deep into the season. When we come out of the break, everyone is going to be in playoff mode. The eighth position is being heavily competed for. The positions up top are extremely competitive. So, it’s gonna come down to the last day like it always does,” Carlisle said.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks will try to pick right back up where they left off at heading into All-Star Weekend, becoming just the fourth team in the NBA to reach 40 wins this season following a 112-106 win in Phoenix last Thursday night. The team also hopes to have backup point guard J.J. Barea back, after missing a game due to an illness while also battling groin issues.

And after battling through injuries and a six-game losing streak as a team earlier in the year, the Mavericks hope to prove that they are battle-tested as they eye a long playoff run.

“Things happen. It’s a long season, and you’ve got to make sure you capitalize on the opportunities you get,” reserve forward Shawn Marion explained. “There’s gonna be some ups and downs through the whole season. But as long as you stay more positive than negative then you’re gonna be good.”

“All the injuries we’ve been through, the ups and downs. To be able to keep our composure and be one of four teams to get to 40 before the All-Star break is a big-time accomplishment for us,” center Tyson Chandler added.

But while the Mavericks saw success heading into the break, the Jazz free fell down the standings, going winless since former coach Jerry Sloan stepped down on Feb. 11 to end his 23-year tenure. Wednesday night, the two teams collide at the American Airlines Center, with the Mavericks looking to move to 3-0 against the Jazz this season to tact on another loss to Utah’s four-game losing streak.

Still, despite the Jazz’s recent skid and the reported three-team deal to move Williams to New Jersey, neither Carlisle nor his team will be taking the perennial playoff contender lightly.

“We’re going to have our work cut out for us (Wednesday night),” Carlisle said. “We’ve got a very motivated team coming in here. Utah has lost four in a row. They played Wednesday, so they had an extra practice day … So, they’re gonna come in here razor-sharp from the beginning of the game. And we’re gonna have be ready for that.”

With that said, sixth man Jason Terry believes Wednesday night is just another opportunity for the Mavericks to make a statement on their home floor, solidifying themselves as a championship contender in the process.

“It’s tough every night. If you look at our Western Conference, it’s 10 teams right now that are in contention, battling for playoff position,” Terry said. “And there’s only eight spots. So, you can imagine how each night it’s gonna be an emphasis on coming out and playing hard, really trying to make statements. I think more than anything we want to make a statement every night we step on the floor.”

Note: The Mavericks return to the American Airlines Center next Wednesday night to host the Utah Jazz. The Mavericks lead the season series with the Jazz 2-0 after wins in Salt Lake City and Dallas back in December. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT, airing locally on Fox Sports Southwest. Great seats are still available and tickets can be purchased by visiting the American Airlines Center box office, logging on to Mavs.com or by calling 214-747-MAVS (6287).

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Fans can visit Mavs.com or call 214.747.MAVS for more information and a complete listing of regular-season home games.