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Dragnsmke1 · 03-13-2008, 11:18 AM

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.36e2d86.html

11:12 AM CDT on Thursday, March 13, 2008

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com Avery Johnson wasn't there to see it. He had retreated to the locker room to "step away for a moment" in the first half against Charlotte.
The good news is he will like what he sees when he reviews the film. While Johnson was otherwise occupied, Brandon Bass put on a nice little show, and when Johnson returned to the sideline, Josh Howard got back to his hot, first-half ways as the Mavericks ran away from the Bobcats, 118-93, Wednesday at American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks' third win in a row was one of their easiest of the season. It also broke Charlotte's five-game winning streak. Remarkably, the 24-40 Bobcats had crept within 1 ½ games of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference before the blowout.
The Mavericks improved to 42-23, tying their high-water mark of the season for games above .500.
Bass has been a hot topic, not to mention a hot player. Fans will look at his productivity in the last four games – 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds – and conclude that he's on a nice run.
Johnson uses a little different frame of reference. He likes what he's hearing from Bass as much as he likes what he's seeing.
"The funny thing is this is the most I've ever heard Bass talk," Johnson said. "I don't know if he's scared of losing playing time or if he just figures [he] better say something. We've been trying to get him to talk for 60 games."
Bass had 14 points in the first half, when the Mavericks went up by 22. After they went up, 74-47, early in the third quarter, the lead never dropped below 20.
Bass finished with 16 points and five rebounds and admitted he's learning the value of communication on the defensive end. A little friendly competition with newcomers Malik Allen and Jamaal Magloire doesn't hurt, either.
"He's been wanting me to do that all year, so it's time for me to start talking," Bass said. "I'm just trying to improve in that area. I know that's important to our success on defense."
And the new faces in practice haven't hurt Bass, either, said Johnson.
"He doesn't want Allen to get any of his playing time," Johnson said. "So it's been really good, heated competition in practice."
Meanwhile, Howard had 20 points at halftime and finished with 24, seven rebounds and six assists as the Mavericks had a season-best 34 helpers. The Bobcats, meanwhile, only had 35 baskets.
But offense had very little to do with Howard's impact on this game, Johnson said. "He's really mixing up his game now, but I'd say the biggest key for his game in this stretch has been his consistency on defense," he said. "I've never seen him play this physical defensively, and tonight was a big test for him. Jason Richardson has given us problems.
"But Josh right now, with the way we're starting this team, has got to guard the primary scorer to start the game every game. That's new territory for him, and he's rising to the challenge."
Richardson finished with 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
Vincent returns: Sam Vincent was an assistant to Johnson at this time last season. Now, he's leading the Bobcats, who had snapped to life with five consecutive wins, including two over winning teams before Wednesday.
"I think he's doing a solid job," Johnson said of Vincent, who was hand-picked by Charlotte part-owner Michael Jordan. "I knew this was going to be a transition year for him. He's trying to figure out what's going on with his roster and coaching staff. I think he's got a better feel for the roster than he did earlier in the season."
Briefly: The Bobcats welcomed back Gerald Wallace, who had missed the previous eight games after suffering a serious concussion. ... Tyronn Lue saw his first action as a Maverick, and the point guard had seven points in 15 minutes. ... Devean George missed his second consecutive game with a back injury, but said before the game that he's feeling much better. ... Eddie Jones (recovering from a sore knee) is expected to resume practicing later this week.

Dragnsmke1 · 03-13-2008, 11:29 AM

Johnson left the bench with 5:20 left in the first quarter, and returned 2 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. The Mavs led was 21-15 when he left, and the score had doubled when he returned -- 42-30. Johnson, who recently had the flu, didn't explain his absence. "I had to step away for a quick second," he said. "There are no lingering problems. I feel great." ... It was the sixth time Dallas scored at least 60 points in the first half. The only time the Mavs had more was 73 against Sacramento in the third game of the season. ... Dallas and Phoenix are the only teams the Bobcats have never beaten. ... The Mavericks are 28-4 at home.