Roddy Beaubois stuffed the box score in the epic rout of the Knicks yesterday. He took advantage of his first significant stretch of playing time in more than a month by totaling 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 24 minutes. And he produced a highlight getting all sorts of SportsCenter airtime with his spinning, over-the-head, and-1 flip.

But Beaubois also showed why Rick Carlisle doesn't trust him to run the team, even as a backup point guard. Five turnovers in 24 minutes? Yikes.

Beaubois' carelessness with the ball wasn't a problem Sunday, when the Knicks were apparently more interested in watching the AFC championship game than playing the Mavs. But the Mavs can't afford a rookie learning on the job at point guard while they fight for playoff positioning in the ultracompetitive Western Conference.

That's why, when Jason Kidd is available, Beaubois' burn at point guard will continue to come in garbage time.

Of course, a pretty strong case can be made that Carlisle ought to give JJ Barea's minutes at the 2 to the longer, quicker, better-shooting, higher-jumping, more dynamic Beaubois. But those minutes are few and far between when Josh Howard is healthy.