Inside Report: Mavs Spotlight — Flying high into the break, Mavs focus on playoff push

After an impressive first chapter of the season, the Mavericks plan to return from the All-Star break focused on making a long run into the playoffs, writes Earl K. Sneed.

DALLAS — Technically, the Mavericks head into the All-Star break 14 games past the midway point in their 82-game schedule. But what a zigzagging season it has already been to this point.

The Mavericks have battled through their fair share of injuries. They’ve also overcome what they hope was the roughest patch of the year, suffering a six-game losing streak from Jan. 6-17.

That was the downside.

“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.”

The Mavericks (40-16) remained positive and have gone on to see plenty of success 56 games into the season, including two double-figure winning streaks. Now, the Mavs welcome the much-needed layoff between games after winning 13 of their last 14 matchups to propel themselves to the second-best record in the Western Conference, becoming just the fourth team in the league to reach 40 wins in the process after Thursday night’s 112-106 victory in Phoenix.

“It says a lot,” center Tyson Chandler said. “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.”

“This is the latest All-Star break in history after playing 56 games,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle added. “I’ve never had one like this. So, it’s a bit unusual. But our guys have really hung in and done a great job. And they deserve the break.”

Carlisle also says that the team will have one clear-cut goal when it reassembles next Tuesday to prepare for the final 26 games of the season: To be healthy and playing its best basketball as the playoffs approach.

The coach adds that the team will also look to fully integrate second-year guard Roddy Beaubois and new addition Peja Stojakovic into the fold even more so when play resumes.

Starting all six of his appearances before the layoff, Stojakovic averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20.7 minutes a night. Meanwhile, Beaubois made his season debut Wednesday night in the Mavs’ 116-100 home win over Sacramento, totaling 13 points and six assists in 21 minutes after seeing his first game action since returning from a fractured left foot that kept him sidelined for six months.

The young guard was noticeably slowed the next night, however, playing for the first time in consecutive games and scoring nine points on 4-of-10 shooting. And it’s Carlisle’s belief that extra time to continue working on his conditioning will serve Beaubois well when the Mavs return to action next Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz.

“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. Roddy’s gonna stay in Dallas and work out during the break, which is gonna help him coming out of the break. And Peja could use these few days of rest to be with his family. And then he’ll come back refreshed. And we’ve got 26 games and we’re working to get better,” Carlisle explained.

The coach also hopes that Nowitzki is rounding back into form, after the 7-footer exploded for 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting in the Mavericks’ victory over the Suns on Thursday night.

Nowitzki is slated to make his 10th straight All-Star appearance this weekend, but the MVP candidate has also battled his own ups and downs this season. Thursday night marked the first time Nowitzki reached the 30-point mark since Jan. 17, when the Mavs fell 103-89 to Detroit despite 32 points from No. 41.

But after shooting his way out of a slump due to a minor wrist injury, Carlisle hopes the rest of the 2010-11 campaign resembles Thursday night in Nowitzki’s case.

“Dirk’s back,” Carlisle said. “He’s all the way back and it’s great. It’s really good timing, because now he has the All-Star break. He can recharge a little bit. He can play his 16 minutes in the All-Star Game, or whatever it’s gonna be … But Dirk Nowitzki is back.”

With their leader back to 100 percent, the Mavericks will now take a few days away from the court before focusing on the stretch run. And Carlisle didn’t bid adieu to his players until he had the opportunity to express the importance of each game going forward, as teams begin jockeying for playoff positioning.

“We’re deep into the season,” Carlisle said. “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.”

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.