Dallas Mavericks

Teams don't bring their best every night. That's just a fact, especially over 82 games. But the Mavericks' wild sways in consistency are also difficult to explain.

Take a 24-hour stretch against Golden State and Houston. The Warriors won on Dallas' home floor despite using just six players. Afterward, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle lamented his team's unintelligent play.

The next night at Houston, Carlisle's squad dismantled the Rockets. Along the way, Dallas authored an inspiring 26-0 run that blew the game open. Even the Mavs were surprised by it. Considering the previous game, they should have been.

"I wasn't really aware of it," Dirk Nowitzki said. "I just heard about it afterward. Obviously, I knew we were doing well, moving the ball offensively, getting stops and pushing the ball out.

"I think that once we get into transition, we're pretty good. We can get guys running and not have to grind it out. We knew we were doing well, but I had no idea we had almost a 30-0 run."

Carlisle wasn't sure if he's ever seen a run of that magnitude.

"But it's not even the numbers. It's just how we're playing. It's the process by which we're playing. When the activity is there, we're moving the ball, screening and helping each other, we're a different team."

That's the maddening part. Maybe Carlisle's crew has turned the corner. The Mavericks have won their last two by a combined 52 points.

MAVERICKS 113, PACERS 92: Dirk Nowitzki rolled up an efficient 31 points as Dallas easily handled Indiana on the road Friday night. The Mavericks have won seven of eight to improve to 12-4.

The Southwest Division leaders pounded the Pacers on the boards 54-33. Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd and Kris Humphries also joined Nowitzki in double figures. Humphries and James Singleton also each had at least 10 rebounds off the bench.

For the second consecutive game on the road, Dallas had the win safely in hand heading into the fourth quarter. The Mavs were up 26 after three, allowing Rick Carlisle to empty his bench. Nine players logged at least 17 minutes.

• F Tim Thomas has made his money and played a much bigger role on teams in the past. That doesn't mean he isn't vital to Dallas' success this season.

  The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter broke out Wednesday at Houston, scoring 23 points off the bench. Thomas can play along the frontline, and since he's deadly behind the arc, fits into the offense well when Dirk Nowitzki isn't in the game.

  "The main thing was to come in and help these guys get over the hump," Thomas said. "They're going to be in the playoffs. That's no question, but to try to put a team together that will make a run for a couple years, that's the key."

• F Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd are among the NBA players shocked by Allen Iverson's sudden retirement.

  "He's been so much fun to watch," Nowitzki said. "At the size that he is and the way he performed over so many years, he'll definitely be missed in the league if he retires."

  Kidd was glad Iverson made the decision on his terms.

  "He has the right to do what he wants and if it's time for him to step aside, then that's his choice," Kidd said. "Everybody's gonna have their opinion these days and as long as he's happy, that's the most important thing."

Quote To Note:

"We've played better the last two games,"

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We got a lot of contributions from a lot of guys tonight."—Coach Rick Carlisle on Friday after beating Indiana by 21 two nights after beating Houston by 21.

Rotation:

Starters—Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Roddy Beaubois, Small forward Shawn Marion, Power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Center Drew Gooden. Bench—Guard Jason Terry, Guard J.J. Barea, Forward James Singleton, Forward Kris Humphries, Guard Matt Carroll, Forward Tim Thomas.

Player Notes:

• F Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 31 points in Friday's win at Indiana in less than 31 minutes, shooting 10-of-14 from the floor.

  "Our offense really seems to be clicking," he said. "The last two games, we've done a good job of swinging the ball and shooting the ball well."

• C Erick Dampier isn't ready to go into details about the medical condition that's knocked him out of the lineup, but he's with the team and has been in good spirits. Even though no timetable has been disclosed for his return, Dampier hopes to be back on the court soon.

• F Shawn Marion returned Wednesday after missing three games with a sprained ankle, but he's not necessarily out of the woods. Even though he started Friday at Indiana, Marion isn't 100 percent.

  "I'm taking it one day at a time," he said.

Medical Watch:

• F Josh Howard (sore ankle) is back on the inactive list rehabbing. No timetable has been set for his return.

• C Erick Dampier (illness) has missed the last seven games. His illness hasn't been disclosed.

• G Quinton Ross (back tightness) has missed the last two games.