Thursday AM Roundup

Frustrated Howard puts trade talk aside, provides spark off bench | DMN
On Wednesday, however, Howard had seven points late in the first quarter and played perhaps his best game of the season (19 points), igniting the Mavericks to an early double-figure lead. Is Howard frustrated? "If he wasn't," owner Mark Cuban said, "you guys would be saying he doesn't care. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't."

Mark Cuban will listen to trades, rips Mavericks before win over Warriors | DMN
"We suck right now," Mark Cuban said.

Dallas Basketball - Mavs 110, Warriors 101: Your All-Access Pass
After Tuesday's practice, Drew Gooden issued an assessment of Dallas' recent problems. Take it away, Drew: "In the first quarter, we play loose. "In the second quarter, we play loose. "In the third quarter, we play loose. "And then in the fourth quarter, we play tight." The bad news? Even in the win, that trend didn't change much.

Where It's At? Anybody Wanna Stop That Dude? | Jeff Wade - ESPN Dallas
Against the Warriors, he [Beaubois] received all of the available backup point guard minutes in the second half. I’m fascinated to know what the plan had been had he not gotten hurt against Utah. As the Mavericks try to find ways to keep opposing guards from enjoying career nights against them, will Roddy B at point guard be a factor for his defensive spark as much as the potential for him to get some offense going coming off the bench?

Dirk's thumb sore, but not seriously injured | ESPNDallas
"You know something significant happened because he usually doesn't come out of the game for anything like that," coach Rick Carlisle said. "His pain tolerance and will to finish and play through pain is really unusual." How long will the injury sideline Nowitzki? No games, but ... "Probably practice tomorrow, I hope," he joked.

Behind the Box Score, where the Armadillo Cowboy is killin' it | Kelly Dwyer - Ball Don't Lie
Dirk sat out for a spell, then came back a few minutes into the fourth quarter of what was a somewhat close contest, and just went to work. Nine points, on three shots, with no three-pointers. Just embarrassed the Warriors on three looks, and got to the line four times (making three, Poindexters). Just looked a right beast. Love that guy.