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For the 12th consecutive season -- and 12th time in his 14-year career -- Dirk Nowitzki has been selected to the All-NBA team. Nowitzki, who statistically did not have a season up to his standards, was still impressive enough to garner a spot on the third team.

It's his third career selection to the All-NBA third team and first since the 2003-04 season. The Dallas Mavericks' all-time scoring leader was a first- or second-team All-NBA selection in each of the past seven seasons.

"It is an honor to make the All-NBA team again,” Nowitzki said in a statement released by the team. "To be named among the best players in this league is always still very humbling for me. I also appreciate the opportunity to represent my teammates and the Mavericks organization on this list."

LeBron James and Kevin Durant were named to the first team at forward, with Kevin Love and Blake Griffin receiving second-team recognition. Carmelo Anthony joined Nowitzki on the third team. Former Mavs center and current New York Knicks star Tyson Chandler was also named to the third team. (complete list is below).

Nowitzki was the NBA’s eighth-leading scorer (21.6 ppg) during the regular season. He and Kobe Bryant are the only two NBA players to be named to an All-NBA team each of the past 12 seasons. Nowitzki remains the only Mavs player in franchise history to be named All-NBA first team (four times: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2008-09).

This season, Nowitzki moved into the top 20 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Robert Parish and Charles Barkley for 19^th place. He also ranks third in scoring among active players behind Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

In four postseason games against Oklahoma City , Nowitzki averaged 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 38.5 minutes.

Shawn Marion finished eighth in media voting for NBA Defensive Player of the Year. NBA coaches apparently didn't buy into the hype.

Marion didn't make the first or second All-Defensive teams, as voted on by the league's 30 coaches, and garnered just three votes overall and no votes for the first team.

The Dallas Mavericks'' 6-foot-7 defensive stopper who was often asked to guard four positions this season and at times the league's top point guards, finished 14th in the "other players receiving votes" category.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle spent much of the second half of the season campaigning for Marion to be considered a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, an award former Mavs center Tyson Chandler won. Interestingly, the coaches (who can't vote for their own players) selected Chandler to the second team with Dwight Howard garnering first-team recognition.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, far and away the league leader in blocks, earned first-team recognition after finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Here are the All-Defensive teams:

FIRST
F LeBron James, Miami
F Serge Ibaka, OKC
C Dwight Howard, Orlando
G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
G Tony Allen, Memphis

SECOND
F Kevin Garnett, Boston
F Luol Deng, Chicago
C Tyson Chandler, New York
G Rajon Rondo, Boston
G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 19 (4); Joakim Noah, Chicago, 14; Iman Shumpert, New York, 13 (4); Paul George, Indiana, 10 (2); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 9 (2); Josh Smith, Atlanta, 8 (2); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 5 (1); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 5 (1); Grant Hill, Phoenix, 5 (1); Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 5 (1); Avery Bradley, Boston, 3 (1); Marc Gasol, Memphis, 3 (1); Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers, 3; Shawn Marion, Dallas, 3; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 2, (1); Mike Conley, Memphis, 2; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 1; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 1; Carlos Boozer, Chicago, 1; Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee, 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Thunder’s crunch-time defense on Dirk Nowitzki might remind Mavericks fans of the way Dallas defended Kobe Bryant down the stretch of games in last season’s West semifinals.

The Thunder threw a fresh body/savvy veteran at Nowitzki for the final few minutes, much like the Mavs did against Bryant. In Oklahoma City’s case, it’s slimmed down center Kendrick Perkins taking over for Serge Ibaka. In the Mavs’ case, it was Jason Kidd taking over for Shawn Marion.

“It’s just a different look, and part of it is a fresh guy,” said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, who gives Perkins the freedom to decide when he wants to defend Nowitzki. “It’s not easy to guard that guy. That guy, not only does he take it out of you physically, but mentally he tortures you because he makes some of the shots that he makes. It’s like, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

The strategy worked for the Mavs against Bryant last season. It worked for the Thunder in Game 1, when Nowitzki had two points (on a pair of free throws) and two turnovers in the final two minutes.

Perkins played 26 minutes and had particularly fresh legs because his normal defensive assignment isn’t a taxing one. The Mavs’ centers aren’t scoring threats, so it isn’t as if Perkins spends a lot of energy batting for post position or playing on-the-ball defense until he switches onto Nowitzki.

Putting Perkins on Nowitzki also has another benefit to the Thunder. It allows Ibaka, the league’s leading shot blocker, to essentially play goalie with the game on the line.

Before Thursday's finale against the Hawks, when the Mavericks still weren't sure if they would face the Lakers or Thunder in the playoffs, Shawn Marion wouldn't let his mind wander to his next defensive assignment.

Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant. Black Mamba or Durantula. Pick your poison. But what else is new for the Defensive Player of the Year candidate?

"He’s had his hands full all year," Dirk Nowitzki said. "We stuck him on point guards, we stuck him on forwards, we stuck him on 2s, 3s, wherever the best player was he’s out there competing for us. That’s the good thing about him; he can guard multiple positions. He’s fast enough to stay with the small guys but he’s also long enough to bother some of the bigger guys. So yeah, he’s going to be big for us."

On Saturday night, the 6-foot-7 Marion, 10 days removed from his 34th birthday, will employ his long arms and fearless mindset into attacking arguably the longest-limbed and most lethal offensive weapon in the game today in the 6-foot-9 Durant. And don't discount the occasional possession in which Marion's task will shift to explosive point guard Russell Westbrook.

"Oh man, it’s difficult, it’s not easy," Marion said. "Like tonight, I go from from Joe (Johnson) to Josh (Smith) and there’s no telling. You got to do what you got to do."

The 23-year-old Durant just wrapped up his third consecutive scoring title, becoming the first to win it in three years in a row since Michael Jordan. Durant finished this season averaging 28.0 points on a career-best 49.6 shooting.

Durant's numbers against the Mavs and Marion improved this season in four regular-season games, three won by the Thunder. In last year's Western Conference finals, in 163 minutes in which Durant and Marion were on the floor at the same time, the Texas ex scored 91 points on 29-of-76 shooting (38.2 percent), including just 3-of-20 from beyond the 3-point arc. When Marion was on the court, Durant's plus-minus rating was a minus-30. With Marion off the floor, Durant swung to plus-15.

His numbers vastly improved in the four meetings this season. In 125 minutes with both players on the court, Durant scored 82 points on 27-of-57 shooting (47.4 percent), including 6-of-15 on 3s (an area of significant improvement for Durant this season at 38.7 percent). He was plus-4 with Marion on the floor compared to plus-2 with Marion off the court.

"You play to do everything, you play because you love the game. you play to compete," Marion said. "And when you’re a competitor you want to compete, you want to go out there and do what you’ve got to do."

CHICAGO -- Dirk Nowitzki is famous for shooting the lights out in some of the league's most famous arenas. He takes target practice at Madison Square Garden, destroys the Boston Celtics in Beantown and has scored more points at Staples Center than any other visitor.

Chicago's United Center is a different story. Nowitzki and the Mavs make their lone visit against the Bulls tonight, a game the 7-footer is fully expected to play in despite Dallas having clinched a playoff berth.

Nowitzki might not play his full allotment of minutes, but he will be looking to raise his shooting percentage in the Windy City. According the Elias Sports Bureau, Nowitzki has a .415 career field-goal percentage at the United Center, his lowest career field-goal percentage in any arena in which he has at least 100 attempts.

Other tidbits from Elias heading into tonight's nationally televised game on ESPN:

* Nowitzki has scored 24,095 points during the regular season, all with the Mavs. Only four players in NBA history scored 24,000 points while playing their whole career with one team: Kobe Bryant (29,458 with Lakers), John Havlicek (26,395 with Celtics), Reggie Miller (25,279 with Pacers) and Jerry West (25,192 with Lakers).

* Jason Kidd is not expected to play tonight, which leaves him with one final opportunity on Thursday at Atlanta to extend his streak of recording at least one triple-double to 18 consecutive seasons. He holds the NBA record of 17 seasons in a row. Kidd has had at least two triple-doubles in every season he has been in the NBA. He nearly got it done on April 12 at Golden State, but finished one point shy with nine points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

* Jason Terry has made at least one 3-point field goal in 78.7 percent of the regular-season games he has appeared in during his career (804 of 1,021). Only four players in NBA history have made a 3-pointer in a higher percentage of their games than Terry (minimum: 500 games): Ray Allen (89.0), Peja Stojakovic (85.2), Reggie Miller (80.1) and Chauncey Billups (79.2). (The NBA instituted the 3-point line in 1979-80.)

* The Mavs are 10-6 against Eastern Conference teams this season. With two games to go, they are assured of finishing with a winning record over the other conference for a 12th consecutive season. Only one other team has posted a winning record against teams from the opposite conference in each season since 2000-01: San Antonio.

* The Mavs have posted a 10-6 (.625) record at the United Center since the Bulls began playing their home games there in 1994. That is tied with the Clippers (go figure) for the second-highest winning percentage among visiting teams, behind the Thunder (11-6, .647).

* Bulls 3-point specialist Kyle Korver is shooting only .344 from the field in the second half of games this season. Only three players in the league have a lower second-half field-goal percentage than Korver (minimum: 150 FGA): Toney Douglas (.313), Stephen Jackson (.330) and Lamar Odom (.335).

We take a look at the games that impact the West playoff picture each morning for the rest of the regular season.

Mavs' spot in the standings: The Mavs took a one game lead over the idle Denver Nuggets for the No. 6 seed. Both teams are in action tonight. Dallas plays at Chicago in a game the Bulls need to maintain their lead for the No. 1 seed in the East, and the Nuggets play at the Phoenix Suns, who are clinging to the No. 8 seed.

FRIDAY'S GAMES
Mavs 104, Warriors 94: Vince Carter continues to heat up with 19 points as the Mavs won their final home game to finish 23-10 at home and 26-22 against Western Conference foes.

Spurs 121, Lakers 97: San Antonio makes a loud statement with a second consecutive win over the Lakers, this one coming in Kobe Bryant's return from a shin injury. Spurs hold onto the No. 1 seed.

Grizzlies 85, Bobcats 80: Memphis trailed by 10 at the end of the third quarter, but rallied to beat Charlotte, which has lost 19 in a row. The Grizzlies still have a shot at the No. 4 seed and homecourt in the first round, likely against the Clippers.

Thunder 103, Kings 92: Kevin Durant had 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists as the Thunder kept the heat on the Spurs for the top spot.

TODAY’S GAMES
Mavs at Bulls
Nuggets at Suns
Trail Blazers at Grizzlies
Warriors at Rockets
Magic at Jazz

If the playoffs started today: Mavs vs. Lakers

DALLAS – There is no crunch-time controversy at small forward.

No ranting about feeling like a rag doll.

No issue at all with Vince Carter playing every second of the fourth quarters (and three overtimes) in the last two games while starter Shawn Marion watched from the bench.

“We’re trying to win games right now,” Marion said. “They had a good rhythm going. I think that’s all it was.”

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was similarly dismissive to a question on the subject: “You guys are making too much of this. It’s not a big deal. It’s not a big deal.”

It’s not a big deal because Marion isn’t sweating it. Especially not after Carter played a critical role in Wednesday’s comeback win over the Rockets, scoring seven of his season-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

“They had everything going and coach didn’t want to change it up,” Marion said. “That’s OK. It’s a matter sometimes of circumstances and the way the game is going.”

It’s also not a big deal because it isn’t likely to last long enough to become a trend. The Mavs probably won’t be able to afford to have Marion serving as a spectator when the game is on the line during the playoffs.

Maybe the Mavs can get away with it against the Clippers. But that’s about it among teams that they’ll see in the Western Conference playoffs.

PODCAST
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle dishes on the state of his team now that they've clinched a playoff spot. He also talks about Delonte West's "West willy" and why he's gone with Vince Carter over Shawn Marion in the last couple of games. Listen

They’ll need the man they’ve campaigned for as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate during crunch time against the other three teams they could face in the first round. All due respect to Carter, but it’s asking for disaster to give him the defensive assignment on Manu Ginobili, Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant with a playoff game on the line.

A case can be made for using Carter in crunch time. He has a history of hitting big shots and ranks in a class with Kobe Bryant and a couple of teammates (Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry) among active players with the most career buckets in fourth quarters. His perimeter shooting spaces the floor, and his ability to create puts another offensive initiator on the floor for the Mavs.

However, there’s a shiny gold trophy in the case (or Mark Cuban’s kitchen) that gives credibility to Marion’s importance on the closing unit.

The Mavs’ miracle comebacks over the Thunder and Heat would have been impossible without the Matrix’s lockdown defense on Durant and LeBron James. He was a critical component for the best closing team in basketball last season.

For whatever reason, the Mavs have been mediocre closers this season. If Marion isn’t part of the solution, it’s a pretty safe bet that the Mavs will be making tee times in mid-May.

The Mavericks clinched the franchise's record 12th consecutive playoff berth with Houston's loss to New Orleans on Thursday night.

THE GOOD: Los Angeles Clippers (currently No. 4)

How they have played: The Mavs are 1-2 against the Clips, who won the first matchup at home, 91-89, without Chris Paul. But Dirk Nowitzki shot horribly, Mo Williams went off for 26 points and Chauncey Billups (out for the season) hit a game-winning buzzer-beater. The Mavs took the second game at home, 96-92, with both teams healthy with the exception of Billups. Dirk didn't shoot well again, but went 11-of-15 from the line. The third game might have been the Mavs' most disappointing performance of the year. They failed to show up, shot 39 percent and were embarrassed on the boards in a 94-75 home loss.

How Dirk has played: Nowitzki shot just 38 percent in the three games, but he's getting to the foul line a lot. Blake Griffin's athleticism always creates a tough matchup and defensive specialist Kenyon Martin adds an edge the Mavs are quite familiar with from his Denver days. The numbers don't tell the whole story though. Only Nowitzki, Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion started all three games against the Clips.

How the Mavs will fare: Most agree this is probably their most favorable matchup, but nothing is a lock for the defending champions. If Dallas wants to move into the second round, they'll have to be on their toes when it comes to transition defense and find a way to get others beside Nowitzki involved in the offense.

THE BAD: Los Angeles Lakers (currently No. 3)

How they have played: The Mavs are 0-4 against the Lakers, but three of those could have gone either way. Shawn Marion is as good as anyone in the league checking Kobe Bryant, but the Pau Gasol-Andrew Bynum connection has averaging 36.8 points a game Injuries skewed games for both teams. Bryant's best game, a 30-point performance in the 109-93 win in Dallas, came with Marion sitting out.

How Dirk has played: He's averaging a double-double with 24 points and 10.3 rebounds, but shooting just 30 percent from beyond the arc.

How the Mavs fare: This matchup heavily rides on the health of Kobe. Nothing will keep him out of the playoffs, and he is expected to return on Friday. But if his sore left shin continues be a problem, the Mavs might catch a break. If he comes back healthy and refreshed after averaging a whopping 38.5 minutes a game, don't count on much rust from the league's leading scorer. Even if he does struggle with his shot, Gasol and Bynum have played lights-out against Dallas.

THE UGLY: Oklahoma City Thunder (currently No. 2)

How they have played: The Mavs are 1-3 against the Thunder and the ugly fact that the youthful Thunder found ways to pull games out late is concerning considering the Mavs prided themselves on such heroics during their championship run, and especially so against OKC in the West Finals. Kevin Durant stole the first meeting with a 3-point buzzer-beater at OKC in third game of the season. The Mavs looked great in one of their best all-around wins of the season, 100-87, soon after in the second game at home. The Thunder returned to Dallas a month later and returned the favor. But the Mavs were severely shorthanded without Jason Kidd, Brendan Haywood and Lamar Odom. Durant and Russell Westbrook struggled in the season finale, but the Thunder defense shut down the Mavs in the final minutes to win at OKC.

How Dirk played: Nowitzki was solid if not spectacular against the Mavs' Red River rival. He shot 44 percent and averaged 22.5 points per game. We haven't seen him be "championship Dirk" consistently this season, but the German torched the Thunder for 32.2 points per game in last year's playoff series.

How they fare: The Thunder have struggled late in the season, and losing the top seed to San Antonio wouldn't be any help to their momentum. The Mavs have held Westbrook and Durant below their season averages in scoring. The problem is that no one but Dirk can score consistently against the Thunder.

THE UGLY II: San Antonio Spurs (currently No. 1)

How they have played: It's hard to imagine the Mavs are 2-2 against San Antonio because Dirk has not played well in three of the four games. The Spurs embarrassed Dallas 93-71 in the first game without Manu Ginobli and with a barrage of 3-pointers, which became a theme against Dallas. In the final game of the series, a shorthanded Spurs squad did it again to the Mavs by 17 points, playing without Tony Parker. The Mavs coughed up a huge lead in the second game at home and won in OT after Danny Green's buzzer-beater was reversed by replay and the game went to an extra five minutes.

How Dirk played: In the third game of the series, a 106-99 win, he had a team-high 27 points. In the other three games, he scored 10.6 points per game on an abysmal 13-of-46 shooting.

How they fare: The Spurs have successfully mixed young, athletic newcomers with the Big Three and have arguably been the most consistent team in the NBA. Jason Terry has been great against the Spurs this season, but they'll need Dirk to find his rhythm to get past this potential first-round foe.

UPDATED: 9 a.m., Friday.

The Dallas Mavericks clinched a playoff berth Thursday with New Orleans' win over Houston. Now attention turns strictly to seeding and matchups.

With the Mavs (35-28) -- back in action tonight for their home finale against the Golden State Warriors -- and Denver Nuggets (34-28) in a virtual dead heat in the Western Conference standings and both teams now two games ahead of the trailing Utah Jazz (33-30) and Phoenix Suns (33-30) in the loss column, the jockeying between the two is coming down to the sixth and seventh seeds.

Which would the Mavs prefer? As the seventh seed the Mavs know their travel will be light to play the No. 2 seed. They'd start the playoffs either north of the Red River at the Oklahoma City Thunder or on the River Walk at the San Antonio Spurs. The sixth seed will face the No. 3 seed and likely head to Los Angeles to face Kobe Bryant's Lakers. Chris Paul's Clippers lost Thursday at Phoenix, a hit to their chances of moving up and Memphis remains a long shot.

"It doesn’t matter at all," Jason Terry said of which seed the Mavs finish. "We've just got to get in. One more game and we solidify one of those three spots and and we’ll see what happens. It’s going to be a helluva playoffs. If I'm a fan I'm sitting here waiting. I can’t wait for the next week and a half to be up."

Jet can just about forget about the eighth seed. The Mavs hold the tiebreaker on the Nuggets, Jazz and Suns.

So which team, the Mavs or Nuggets, hold the upper hand to finish in sixth? Well, it depends just as much on how those two teams approach their final games after playoff berths are locked up as it does on their opponents' approach.

For instance, the Mavs could face a Chicago Bulls team Saturday night intent on finishing with the best record in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks on Thursday could still be dueling with the Boston Celtics and/or Orlando Magic for the No. 4 seed and homecourt in the first round.

Here's the breakdown of schedules for the Mavs and Nuggets:

Mavs (winning percentage of opponents: .573)
Fri: vs. Golden State (22-39)
Sat: at Chicago (47-15)
April 26: at Atlanta (37-25)

Nuggets (winning percentage of opponents:.554)
Sat: at Phoenix (32-30)
Sun: vs. Orlando (36-26)
Wed: at Oklahoma City (45-17)
April 26: at Minnesota (25-38)

Our weekly look at Mavs newcomers:

Vince Carter’s role in the Mavs’ revamped, Lamar Odom-less rotation is clear. He comes off the bench at small forward, allowing Shawn Marion to slide to power forward when Dirk Nowitzki comes off the floor.

The question is whether Carter or Marion will join the Mavs’ closer committee of Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry during crunch time.

Coach Rick Carlisle’s answer in Utah was Carter, who played every minute during the fourth quarter and three overtime periods. That put three of the four most prolific active fourth-quarter scorers on the floor for the Mavs, as only Kobe Bryant has more career buckets in the final frame than Nowitzki, Terry and Carter. Carter also ranks below only Bryant and Nowitzki for game-winning shots made among active players.

Of course, it should be noted that the 35-year-old Carter’s production has dipped the most by far of that closer quartet.

Carter hit a couple of big shots – a pair of 3-pointers that were critical in forcing the first overtime – but those were the only shots he hit in the fourth quarter and overtimes of the loss to the Jazz. Meanwhile, the Mavs’ most valuable defender watched from the bench.

Carlisle, as tends to be the case, was vague about the reasoning for his decision to play Carter instead of Marion with the game on the line. He mentioned that Carter was playing well, leaving out the fact that Marion didn’t appear to have much in the tank, registering only four points and two rebounds in 23:51 during the Mavs’ fourth game in five nights.

Carlisle’s decision also could have been influenced by the Jazz’s lack of an elite wing scorer. It’s hard to envision Carlisle opting for Carter over Marion in crunch time when Dallas needs to defend someone like Bryant, Manu Ginobili or Kevin Durant during the first round of the playoffs.

LOS ANGELES -- The second question asked of Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle following Sunday's 112-108 overtime loss against a Lakers team playing without Kobe Bryant went something like this:

Does it sting a little more to have lost to the Lakers with Kobe sitting on the bench in a suit?

Carlisle took a second before answering and then said: "Next question."

The Mavs know they let a great opportunity get away. Not only did they fail to pick up another needed road win, they could not match their longest win streak of four since the All-Star break. In fact, the Lakers have now been responsible for ending four Dallas hot streaks.

A mid-January visit to L.A. snapped a five-game win streak even though Bryant had just 14 points on 7-of-22 shooting. Leading up to the All-Star break, the Mavs had won seven of eight games until the Lakers and newcomer Ramon Sessions sent them into the break with a 96-91 home loss. Then it was a four-game win streak the Lakers busted up just as Dallas started to feel good about itself again following that ugly 2-7 stint out of the All-Star break.

And on Sunday in L.A., the Mavs had their modest three-game win streak snapped despite leading by 10 in the second quarter and 87-81 with 6:51 to play.

"I mean it’s disappointing because we were in control and we had a chance to put them away, but we just kept letting them back in the game," Shawn Marion said. "We were up by 10. Once you get them up by 10, you’re supposed to go ahead and stick it to them. They went on a 7-0 run right back on us. I think it was a close game here on out. It happens. The thing is right now we could sit here and harp on the game, it is what it is, but we’re trying to stack W's."

That quest continues tonight at Utah, a team desperate to win to stay on the fringe of the playoff race. With that said, here's three more things to consider:

1. Can Kidd go two?: Jason Kidd played 33 minutes at Golden State in his second game back from a strained groin and sat out Friday's game at Portland. Against the Lakers on Sunday, he played a season-high 39 hard minutes, finishing with 13 points (5-7 FGs, 3-4 3FGs), seven assists, three rebounds and one turnover. His previous high was 35 minutes, which he's hit just three times. Now, Kidd must come back in back-to-back nights in another must-have ballgame.

"We'll see how I feel," Kidd said. "Right now I feel good, so I would hope that I get to play tomorrow."

2. Road woes mount: After consecutive road wins against depleted teams, the Mavs dropped to 13-17 on the road and 0-8 on the road against teams that currently own a .600-or-better winning percentage this season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Dallas is one of seven teams in the league that do not have a road win against .600-or-better teams, joining Washington (0-4), Philadelphia (0-5), Detroit (0-6), Toronto (0-6), Charlotte (0-8) and New Orleans (0-9).

3. Jason Terry sizzling from deep: He didn't get the potential game-tying bucket to go in the final moments of overtime, but Terry was pretty good with the long ball against the Lakers, knocking down 5-of-6 from 3-point range, the first time he's reached that threshold since Jan. 4 against Phoenix. In his last six games, Terry has buried 19-of-39 (48.7 percent) from beyond the arc, and that includes off 2-of-8 Friday at Portland.

We take a look at the games that impact the West playoff picture each morning for the rest of the regular season.

Mavs' spot in the standings: Dallas remains in the sixth spot, but missed an opportunity to gain a game on Memphis for the No. 5 seed. The Mavs are one-half game ahead of Denver, which knocked off Houston on Sunday and those two teams play again tonight.

SUNDAY'S GAMES
Lakers 112, Mavs 108 (OT): The Lakers, playing without Kobe Bryant, grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and outscored Dallas 18-9 in second-chance points to sweep the four-game season series.

Hornets 88, Grizzlies 75: New Orleans is embracing the spoiler role as Memphis missed a chance to close the gap on the Clippers for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage.

Nuggets 101, Rockets 86: Houston lost its third straight and is now just one game ahead of ninth-place Phoenix.

TODAY’S GAMES
Mavs at Jazz
Nuggets at Rockets
Trail Blazers at Suns
Spurs at Warriors
Thunder at Clippers

If the playoffs started today: Mavs vs. Lakers

LOS ANGELES -- How it happened: Who needs Kobe Bryant for Showtime in L.A.?

The Kobe-less Los Angeles Lakers persevered without the league's leading scorer and with an under-the-weather Andrew Bynum to win an overtime shootout in part because Pau Gasol hit consecutive 3-pointers in the extra frame (the first of which the Dallas Mavericks protested to no avail that Matt Barnes interfered with at the rim). Gasol had made just five the entire season.

But, the bigger picture saw Dirk Nowitzki struggle from the floor (9-of-28) and fail to get to the free-throw line (3-of-3, one on a defensive 3-second call and two in the final minute of OT) despite leading the team with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Dallas wasted significant games from Delonte West (16 of 20 points in the first half), Jason Kidd (13 points, 5-of-7 FGs) and Jason Terry (21 points, 11 in fourth quarter and OT, 5-6 on 3s).

Terry's drive to the cup in the final 10 seconds of overtime to tie didn't draw a foul call and his shot from nearly under the backboard never had a chance. The Mavs could have gone for the 3 and the win, but Kidd inbounded to Terry, who took Ramon Sessions inside, but couldn't get it to go.

If the Lakers and Mavericks meet in the first round of the playoffs, which Sunday's win by L.A. makes all the more likely, Dallas better figure out a way to put a leash on the big man Bynum and slow down Sessions, who has had two massive games against the Mavs since his trade to L.A.

An upper-respiratory infection, along with the Mavs' defense couldn't hold Bynum down after a slow start. It was Bynum's and-1, followed by a monster dunk with 5:25 left that ended a 10-1 Dallas run and quickly turned momentum to the Lakers' side.

Bynum finished with 23 points (just 9-of-24 FGs) and 16 rebounds. Sessions put in seven of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, including five consecutive points.

The Lakers dominated the boards with 15 offensive rebounds for an 18-9 advantage in second-chance points. Metta World Peace came up big to start the third quarter and finished with 18 points while splitting his six boards among offensive and defensive.

Considering the Lakers were playing without Bryant, Bynum was sick, Kidd was coming off Friday's rest and Dallas had yet to beat L.A. this season, the Mavs needed this one. Now they head to awaiting Utah with weary legs.

Kidd logged 39 minutes, Nowitzki played 43 and Terry played 37.

What it means: The loss means the Mavs go 0-for-4 against the Lakers this season. They helped L.A. keep its grip on the No. 3 seed, increasing the likelihood of a Lakers-Mavs first-round series that would start at Staples Center in two weeks.

Bold play of the game: Gasol's consecutive 3s were stunning and ultimately the difference in the game, but with 5:24 to go in the game, Bynum got the crowd revved up and the momentum swinging in the Lakers' favor. After Metta World Peace left a 3-pointer hanging high over the front of the rim, Bynum plucked it out of the air and threw it down with authority to bring the Lakers to within 89-88.

Stat of the game: The Mavs' run of 18 consecutive wins when scoring more than 100 points came to an end. The last time Dallas lost when it scored at least 100 was the third game of the season at Oklahoma City.

LOS ANGELES -- Rodrigue Beaubois won't play in today's game against the Lakers because of the strained calf he sustained Friday night at Portland.

Coach Rick Carlisle said the belief is that the injury is not serious and the hope is that Beaubois will be in uniform for Monday night's game at Utah. It's a tough time for Beaubois to be dealing with an injury as he tries to solidify a postseason rotation spot in a crowded backcourt.

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant will sit out his fifth consecutive game with a left shin injury. That means Mavs defensive stopper Shawn Marion's duties will shift to second-year to Devin Ebanks and Metta World Peace, who has been hot lately

"I didn't think he was going to miss this one," Marion said in the pregame locker room.

Marion has had tremendous success guarding Bryant going back to last year's second-round playoff sweep. In two games this season, both in Los Angeles, Marion limited Bryant to 14.5 points and on less than 28 percent shooting. In the Lakers' 16-point win in Dallas last month, Bryant went off for 30 points while Marion sat out nursing a sore knee.

To preview today's Mavs-Lakers game, ESPN Dallas' Jeff Caplan had an IM conversation with Andy Kamenetzky of ESPN Los Angeles. Below is the transcript.

Andy Kamenetzky: From a psychological standpoint, what does Odom's departure do for Dallas?

Jeff Caplan: The first thing is it removes daily frustration and exasperation from the locker room. His behavior was such that I believe players questioned his commitment, and have for some time. Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle were as patient as possible, believing at some point he would turn things around and contribute. Finally, Cuban saw zero desire emanating from Odom and pulled the plug. The Mavs thrived with an all-for-one mentality last season and now can get back to that.

AK: Even acknowledging Odom's disengagement and poor play, has he been a convenient scapegoat at all for Dallas' underwhelming season?

JC: Absolutely. For evidence that it wasn't just Lamar, just look at Thursday night at Golden State. The Mavs were up 19 in the first half, then allowed the Warriors to cut it to three early in the fourth before turning it on again. That's a staple of this team this year: No lead is safe. That's mostly due to an offense ranking around 20th all year in scoring average and field goal percentage. But I don't think anyone within the organization has said, "It's all Lamar's fault" or "Now that he's gone, we're about to roll." I think there's now just more of a workmanlike mentality, with players going about their business. This is mostly a drama-free locker room led by Dirk Nowitzki, who is unlike any superstar I've ever been around.

The big question is will Shawn Marion have anyone to defend? What's Kobe's status with the shin and is anybody getting worried?

AK: As of this post, Kobe remains day-to-day, and given how he shares the "pain don't hurt" philosophy made famous by a legendary bouncer named Dalton, him sitting is certainly unusual. But I don't sense teammates and the front office are worried. Bryant's making progress by all accounts, and since he's already missed games, I think everyone's determined to take whatever time necessary to avoid a recurrence. Plus, Kobe's entire body is getting well-needed rest, so there's a tangible silver lining. It wouldn't shock me if he sat against Dallas, which means Marion's day checking Devin Ebanks becomes considerably easier.

Jason Kidd and Delonte West have recently returned from absences of varying length. How important are they to Dallas' fortunes?

JC: For the Mavs, Kidd is everything. He's my pick as the player who has to be at his best for Dallas to have a chance to defend its title. Although his stats are career lows across the board, he still runs the offense with an efficiency like no other teammate, and the Mavs trust him implicitly to make the right play or hit the big 3-pointer. The question is whether he can stay healthy enough to play at an elite level. He looked good in his first two games back, but Carlisle had to play him 33 minutes against Golden State, and that's high for Kidd. The plan was to ease him in.

As for West, he's big in terms of being a tenacious perimeter defender. When West missed 21 games, Marion had to check point guards and it wore him down to where he had to sit three games with a sore knee. West has also shown an ability to can key jumpers. Those two look to be the starting backcourt, but have actually played only a handful of games together.

So the standings currently look like a Lakers-Mavs playoff rematch in the first round. If that comes to pass, who do you like?

AK: I love the Lakers. Beyond a tendency to play well against teams they dislike, the Lakers match up well against Dallas. Marion definitely makes Kobe work, but everywhere else, the Lakers are either equal or better in a position-by-position matchup. Assuming the Lakers' bench can be reasonably competent, the Mavs are an ideal first-round opponent.

JC: I tend to agree. And one big factor is Ramon Sessions. Mavs fans got an early look at him in Dallas and he was brilliant. How well has he fit in? It seems no one is thinking back to Derek Fisher too much.

AK: Only when Andrew Bynum acts up. (Zing!) All joking aside, Sessions has fit in well, even acknowledging areas in need of improvement. Defensively, he's average at best, and while the chemistry between him and Kobe is improving, it needs to be seamless come playoff time. The biggest downside to Kobe's injury is time missed to further jell with Sessions. But overall, Sessions has been helpful, whether as a source of scoring, speed, or expanded pick-and-roll possibilities. In particular, he and Pau Gasol have developed a nice two-man game.

And finally, prediction?

JC: I'm going to say the Mavs take this one with or without Kobe. This is a desperate Mavs team with a proud core trying to prove it is worthy of defending a title. Give me the Mavs on Sunday and the Lakers in a first-round matchup.

AK: I tend to agree. It's always difficult to beat the same team four times, and potentially without Kobe, even harder.