The Dallas Mavericks finally got that elusive home win on Friday against Memphis, making them 1-4 at the American Airlines Center, but more importantly it extended their winning streak to four games.

Now with three days to rest before Indiana comes to town, the Mavs feel as though they're building some chemistry and consistency, although in waves. Their performances might start to level out with a favorable schedule ahead.

Considering the entire Southwest Division is struggling, the Mavs find themselves one game under .500, but just two games out of the division lead.

"It's all beginning to come together for this," said backup guard J.J. Barea is starting to get more traction in the rotation.

The Dallas Mavericks restored their home-court advantage, thanks to big games from Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd. Nowitzki had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Kidd contributed 18 points and 13 boards, and the Mavericks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 91-76 on Friday night to halt an 0-4 home start. "That's why you have star players, to play like stars," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.

The way Jason Terry was shooting, the Dallas Mavericks hardly needed Josh Howard on Wednesday night. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, sorely missed Yao Ming. Terry scored 31 points, and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Mavericks' 96-86 victory over the Rockets. Howard, the Mavs' second-leading scorer, was inactive because of a left ankle injury.

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your Crispix. At least for now. We'll see how long this lasts.

Kyle Hightower, Orlando Sentinel: "Who said Polish guys can't jump? In a discussion with fellow Magic European-import Mickael Pietrus (originally from French Guadeloupe), Polish-born Marcin Gortat boasted after a recent practice his ability to dunk from the free-throw line — like Julius Erving. Doubtful of his skills, Pietrus bet Gortat an unspecified sum that he could, drawing a full post-practice audience that included several barefoot players and even Coach Stan Van Gundy. With a full-court run-up, the 6-11 Gortat successfully pulled off the dunk twice after the first one was disputed by Pietrus, who questioned his takeoff point. Said Gortat, as he walked into the locker room mobbed by teammates: 'I'll take my payment in Euros.'"

Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: "A day after Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said, 'Until further notice, I’m going to have to shut it down,' he was running through practice as if he never felt a shot of pain in Monday’s second half. McGrady said he was not certain he would play tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, but the chances have improved as much as his knee. He said he was 'hopeful' he could play, called the MRI that was planned and canceled 'not necessary' and did not describe himself as likely to stop playing entirely."

Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune: "Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul has been surpassing records and milestones as fast as autumnal leaves fall, and each time he collects a steal in the next 12 games, he draws closer to the NBA mark for thefts in consecutive games. The record is held by former San Antonio Spurs guard Alvin Robertson, who had 105 consecutive games with a steal from Nov. 6, 1985, to Dec. 29, 1986. Paul ranks second with at least one steal in 93 games in a row. He passed Michael Jordan (77) in the final weeks of last season, and looks to build on the streak in tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings at the New Orleans Arena. Through nine games this season, Paul has 27 steals — an average of three per game — both best in the NBA."

Don Seeholzer, St. Paul Pioneer Press: "When it comes to shooting the ball, Mike Miller has a green light. More often than not this season, though, he has decided to proceed with caution. Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman would like to see that change, even if it means being a little less unselfish. After watching Miller take a season-low four shots, and make three, Sunday night in the Wolves' 90-84 loss at Denver, Wittman said he would like his shooting guard to start pulling the trigger more often. 'Sometimes you get into turning down shots to make the extra pass,' Wittman said Tuesday. 'Mike does all the right things, but at times he's got to be a little selfish, too, when he's got an open shot. I wouldn't want anybody else taking an open shot. Every time he shoots it, I think it's going in.'"

Mike Bresnahan, LA Times: "The NBA's all-time leading scorer has one word for Andrew Bynum — patience. Bynum has struggled with his shot and recently said he wanted to be more assertive once he got the basketball in the post. To paraphrase Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, it will happen in time. 'The offense is designed to spread it around, but if you're getting high-percentage shots in the post, they're of great value to a team,' said Abdul-Jabbar, in his fourth season as a Lakers' special assistant coach in charge of Bynum's development. 'It's a situation where he has to prove that he can deliver and then maybe the offense can look for him more than it is right now. He just has to be patient.'"

Ivan Carter, Washington Post: "Wizards forward Andray Blatche is in his fourth NBA season, yet the team continues to stress that he needs to get into better physical condition. Prior to last night's game, Coach Eddie Jordan was asked about Blatche's up-and-down play through the season's first seven games. 'We call it a dash and a flash but he's certainly not consistent right now,' Jordan said. 'From the time he got into the league, we've talked about his conditioning improving and he hasn't gotten to the point where it's where it should be, where he can sustain a high level of intensity and a high level of concentration.' Jordan said the team has created a modified workout program that has Blatche arriving for practice long before his teammates, in addition to added work in the weight room."

Ramona Shelburne, LA Daily News: "The buzzards aren't quite yet circling, but they might be making flight plans. That's what happens when a team opens the season 1-9, as the Clippers have. Every loss brings a handful of new phone calls from front offices around the NBA, wondering if they might be of any assistance in shaking things up. The Clippers generally tend to answer those phone calls and listen, but don't expect any major moves right away for two very important reasons. 'I think guys are honestly really committed to turning this thing around,' Clippers forward Marcus Camby said after practice Tuesday. 'We still feel like we have a chance to make the playoffs. It may seem bleak because of where we're at right now, but we still have 70-plus games to go.'"

Howard Beck, NY Times: "Jared Jeffries could be practicing in a week and back in the rotation soon. Jeffries received a positive report after his latest X-ray on Friday and said he expected to start running within days. Jeffries broke his left leg on the third day of training camp. 'I need to get another X-ray, and if it’s still healing the same way it is, with no pain the way it has been, then I should be good to go,' Jeffries said."

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "Suns coach Terry Porter planned to play eight or nine men per game this season but warned it would not be the same eight or nine. That has proven true, with him lately calling upon Louis Amundson and rookie Sean Singletary for important minutes. First-round draft pick Robin Lopez was the hailed big-man acquisition, but he has fewer appearances than the energetic Amundson. Singletary seemed bound for the NBA Development League when he was acquired in August, but Suns affiliate Iowa began camp without him Friday, when Singletary was running the Suns' point for the final six minutes of an overtime win at Sacramento. Suspensions and erratic rookie play from Lopez and Goran Dragic have given Amundson and Singletary the chances for which Porter told them to be ready."

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News: "If Nuggets center Nene doesn't make the All-Star Game, he won't complain. Nene is set to marry Lauren Prothe, of Fort Collins, on Valentine's Day, the day before the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Nene isn't listed on the All-Star ballot but could be named a reserve. 'I don't need to be thinking about that,' Nene said. 'This All-Star time, I'm going to be thinking about my wedding.'"

Kate Fagan, Philadelphia Inquirer: "It hasn't been a dream-like start for either the 76ers or up-and-coming backup guard Lou Williams. The Sixers are 5-5. Williams is shooting 35.7 percent from the field, 26.1 percent from the three-point line, and has 20 turnovers and 17 assists while averaging 9.3 points per game. 'I'm in a shooting slump,' said Williams, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract during the off-season. 'I guess that's what they call it. I've never been in one before. I think I got too caught up in my shot rather than creating things for my teammates. In seasons past, I opened things up for other people ... I have to get back to that.' Starting tonight at the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-8), the Sixers hit a valley in their schedule that includes four consecutive opponents with sub-.500 records. It is an ideal time for the Sixers to get above .500."

Frank Isola, NY Daily News: "Stephon Marbury's days as a Knick are drawing to a close, but the veteran point guard could survive until the new year. Knicks president Donnie Walsh has not given up on trading Marbury, who is scheduled to earn $21.9 million this season. Marbury is open to a buyout and has enlisted the help of the Players Association to negotiate with the Knicks. The two sides met last week, but no additional meetings are scheduled for this week, according to a person familiar with the talks. Walsh will not be rushed into making a decision, especially one that could cost the Knicks nearly $20 million. Another source believes that Marbury won't be released until Jan. 1 because Cablevision Systems Corp., which owns the Knicks, won't have to report the financial loss until 2009. A team source, however, insists that the decision to either trade or negotiate a buyout is Walsh's to make."

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your bananas. At least for now. We'll see how long this lasts.

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "Suns center Shaquille O'Neal just went through five-day span in which he was assessed $60,000 in NBA fines. Or in his terms, a 0.3 of a percent tax on his $21 million salary this season. After Thursday's $35,000 fine for his shoves during last week's scuffle between the Suns and Houston Rockets, O'Neal was fined $25,000 Monday for 'verbal abuse of an official and failure to leave the court in a timely manner' after his flagrant-foul ejection in Sunday's win over the Detroit Pistons. 'It's like a tax,' O'Neal said, later adding, 'For 25 (thousand dollars), I should have said a little more.' There is an expectation that O'Neal's flagrant foul, a Penalty 2, will be reduced to a Penalty 1. Such a change would mean that his foul on Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey was 'unnecessary' but not 'excessive,' and his fine would be reduced."

Eddie Sefko, Dallas Morning News: "Jerry Stackhouse and his agent are exploring options for a possible departure from the Dallas Mavericks, the result of a turbulent first month of the season in which his playing time and level of performance have dropped dramatically. Stackhouse did not demand a trade Monday after practice, but he calmly detailed his situation and said that he feels there is plenty of good basketball left in him, too much to be a bit player. He speculated that the end of his Mavericks tenure might be coming soon and that the organization's decision to bring along young players has left him with an uncertain future, given that he will probably be a free agent next summer. 'Sometimes, that cycle comes,' Stackhouse said. 'When I came to Philadelphia [as a rookie], Jeff Malone was still a very capable player. But they said: 'Jeff, Jerry Stackhouse is the starting shooting guard here, and we're starting over.' He still went and played somewhere for a couple more seasons.'"

John Reid, The Times-Picayune: "With four losses in six games, Hornets Coach Byron Scott did not expect to see his players in a good mood during Monday's practice at the Alario Center. So maybe it came as no surprise to Scott that with a team on edge, there was a scuffle, a dodging of reporters and a frustrated forward looking for answers. Not necessarily in that order. Near the end of an extended full scrimmage, forward/guard Rasual Butler and guard Morris Peterson exchanged words and eventually had to be separated. When practice ended, forward David West and point guard Chris Paul left without speaking to anyone. And forward Peja Stojakovic still appeared to be flustered from his 1-for-5 shooting performance for three points in Saturday's 91-82 loss to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center."

Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: "Rockets forward Shane Battier, who has spent the preseason and first three weeks of the regular season working to rehabilitate his sore left foot, is expected to practice with the team today, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said on Monday. Battier has not practiced with the team yet, but after a demanding workout on Monday was cleared to join the team’s practices unless there is any set back after Monday’s workout."

Mike Baldwin, The Oklahoman: "Forward Desmond Mason will be sidelined at least 10 days. An MRI revealed Mason suffered a sprained right elbow. Saturday, his arm hit the backboard while attempting to block a shot at Philadelphia. But the injury actually occurred a week earlier against Minnesota, when Mason’s arm hit the rim attempting another block. 'The doctor told me when it gets to a point it doesn’t hurt anymore I can get back and play,' Mason said. 'It’s tough. I don’t like to sit out, even practices. It’s frustrating but I’d rather do this than hurt it worse and be out six weeks.'"

Marc Berman, New York Post: "NBA Player's Association attorney Hal Biagas is expected to resume Stephon Marbury buyout talks with Knicks president Donnie Walsh tomorrow or Thursday, with a possibility of a formal proposal coming by week's end, according to a person familiar with the situation. The exiled Marbury, who has yet to play this season, flew with the team to Boston yesterday, but that could be his last road trip as a Knick. Biagas, Marbury and Walsh met last Thursday in Westchester to begin divorce proceedings. According to the individual, Walsh told Biagas and Marbury that he'll need one week to think about matters, explore any potential trades and consult with Knicks owner James Dolan. 'He wants to see what's out there on the trade market,' the individual told The Post. 'There's optimism [about a buyout]. He is trying to work something out.' Marbury has told confidants he does not care if he yields more than his $21.9 million wage this season."

Brian Hanley, Chicago Sun-Times: "When it comes to the Bulls' so-called ''circus trip,' Derrick Rose's teammates apparently adhere to the thinking that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 'If it was good, people would have been telling me,' Rose said after practice Monday. 'But nobody's been talking, so I don't even want to know.' The Bulls' 6-52 cumulative record on the annual November trek in the 10 years since Michael Jordan last played for them speaks volumes. The Bulls went a combined 1-11 the last two times they vacated the United Center so Ringling Bros. could take over their home. A 3-3 trip three seasons back was the best the team has done in a decade. The Bulls begin this trip tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers."

Joe Freeman, The Oregonian: "Martell Webster, who has missed all of the regular season rehabilitating his injured left foot, said Monday after the Trail Blazers practice that he has set a target return date: Dec. 5, roughly eight weeks after he had surgery to repair a stress fracture. Webster had a protective boot removed during the Blazers last home game, Nov. 8 against Minnesota, and will learn more about his progress tomorrow, when team doctors examine his foot. 'It's getting better,' Webster said of his foot. 'I'm inching toward that due date so we'll see how it goes. I have a visit with the doctor tomorrow and we'll see what he says. Hopefully I can start doing some jogging, with shooting involved. If not, it's back to the treadmill.' Webster, who has done light weight lifting and a ton of pool work during his rehab, said team doctors have told him he needs to be able to walk on a treadmill for two miles — without pain — before he can resume basketball activities. Webster said he's been able to walk the two miles, but with some discomfort."

Lisa Dillman, LA Times: "Reunion Week started early, and you knew it was going to be that way when Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy was asked to revisit the Elton Brand saga ... on Saturday. That's when another reunion was in progress at Staples Center. Baron Davis versus his former team, the Golden State Warriors. And Corey Maggette versus his old Clippers' buddies, well, the few of them still on hand. Brand versus his former team, the Clippers, was still well off in the distance, Friday at Philadelphia. 'We'll hug and ask about each other's families and say good luck and then we'll go to war trying to beat each other up,' Clippers forward Tim Thomas said Monday."

48Minutes.net: "By extending [Stephen] Jackson now, the Warriors are tossing aside their previously iron-clad rules of dealing with a player only when the team has used up all of its possible leverage. I’ll be fascinated to hear the explanation for this exception, if any is forthcoming on the matter. Outside of the reasoning for why the Warriors would break with their own philosophy, here’s the biggest question: How will the signing impact the Warriors in the summer of 2010, when a whole raft of top-notch free agents is scheduled to flood the market? There is no real hope that a player with the stature of LeBron James will be willing to come to Oakland when the lights of New York are beckoning to him. But having maneuverability in that timeframe — when teams will potentially be looking to offload players in order to make a run at UFAs such as Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Tayshaun Prince, Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd, Amare Stoudemire, Tony Parker, Chris Bosh or Caron Butler — would afford a franchise the opportunity to recast its core, if that was deemed necessary."

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the Dallas Mavericks ...

Owner Mark Cuban has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly dumping shares in Mamma.com — The Mother of All Search Engines — upon learning it was raising money in a private offering. Gulp. Here's a snippet of the SEC press release, via The Huffington Post:

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Dallas entrepreneur Mark Cuban with insider trading for selling 600,000 shares of the stock of an Internet search engine company on the basis of material, non-public information concerning an impending stock offering.

The Commission's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleges that in June 2004, Mamma.com Inc. invited Cuban to participate in the stock offering after he agreed to keep the information confidential. The complaint further alleges that Cuban knew that the offering would be conducted at a discount to the prevailing market price and that it would be dilutive to existing shareholders.

Straightforward explanation, with help from the Wall Street Journal: The SEC alleges Cubes sold his entire ownership stake after learning that Mamma.com was raising money through a private investment in a public entity, or PIPE. The next day, the company announced the PIPE financing and shares of the company dropped by more than 10%. By selling his goods, the SEC alleges, Cubes avoided more than $750,000 in losses.

So much for buying the Cubs or landing Stephon Marbury ...

Update: It's not much, but we have a short legal response on Cuban's blog: "I am disappointed that the Commission chose to bring this case based upon its Enforcement staff’s win-at-any-cost ambitions. The staff’s process was result-oriented, facts be damned. The government’s claims are false and they will be proven to be so."

The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Chivas Regal with one part flippant observation to create the most unbalanced ranking possible, and to offer the least accurate look at the state of the NBA on a weekly basis. If you disagree with your team's spot, feel free to go crazy in the comments or spit venom via email.

1. Los Angeles Lakers — One always had the hint that Arron Afflalo was Los Angeles' kryptonite. The Lakers are now on pace to only win 72 games. The dream is over, people. What can I say? [KD]

2. Boston Celtics — Kevin Garnett: "You can look at our record, but we still have a long way to go." Um, not true, Kevin. Saturday's OT battle in Milwaukee was the Celtics' 68th game in the last 12 days. They're almost done. [JE]

3. Phoenix Suns — Things are too good. Something's going to happen. Steve Nash is going to rob something, or someone. Grant Hill is going to default on a loan. Shaq's going to turn out to be a bloody Bolshevik. They're going to break our hearts. You know it. I like their defense (14th), though. [KD]

4. Cleveland Cavaliers — "LeBron James scored 38 points, leading a second-half rally that gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their seventh straight victory ..." That has to be the Associated Press's go-to line. I bet they use it to pick up chicks at the bar. Also, "LeBronco James":

5. Detroit Pistons — It is a repudiation of all that is sane and civil that Kwame Brown is starting over Amir Johnson. At least Amir's per-minute stats are better. We'll always have the per-minute stats, Amir. Always. [KD]

6. New Orleans Hornets —I've watched the Bees play three or four times this season, and I still have no idea what to make of them. I am flummoxed. One quarter they're dominant, the next quarter they get pushed around a little bit and start playing the refs. Ranking them sixth seems too high and low at the same time. [JE]

7. Atlanta Hawks — Hey, remember when the Hawks were on pace to win 82 games? Man, those were the days. Back when shows had great theme songs and my dad had a neckbeard. [JE]

8. Houston Rockets — When I wrote "rusty bunch of geezers," I meant "tempestuous batch of all-world talents and Aston-driving basketball mercenaries, several of which boast a Victor Mature-like sense of cool and whimsy, even at their most droll." Obviously, both Noel Coward and Carl Landry are standing directly in back of me. [KD]

9. Portland Trail Blazers — The worst defensive team (29th) that nobody knows about ... wait, I'm sorry, did someone order a 7-footer with skills? [KD]

10. Orlando Magic — The Magic Men were the only squad in the league last season with a better record on the road (27-14) than at home (25-16), and we could be looking at a repeat performance. Their moms must suck at cooking. Sloppy Joes and crap like that. [JE]

11. Utah Jazz — One of these days, mister, they're gunna get the whole gang back together and, you wait. Yeah, you wait. Also, minus the Afghan Whigs t-shirt, Kosta Koufos looks like me from October 1994-November 1994. Then I got the haircut right. The skin took a while. [KD]

12. Philadelphia 76ers — It is beyond comprehension. You even take pictures of your hotshot free agent pickups in the uniform. Just go back to the old unis, already. Stop making this harder than it has to be. What would Steve Mix say? [KD]

13. Toronto Raptors — Calderon's out, and you know Darrick Martin is circling the parking lot, like a vulture, trying to guess which car is Will Solomon's.

(Everybody knows Will Solomon can't afford a car!) [KD]

14. Denver Nuggets — 25th in offense, 6th in defense. Yes, I'm back on that thing again. [KD]

15. New York Knicks — Actual "MSG Mic Check" with Coach D'Antoni Sunday night: "C'mon defense, let's go. Let's go guys! Go! Here we go, here we go, guys. Here we go! Here we go, here we go. Way to go, Zach! Here we go white, here we go white. Here we go white." Awesome. [JE]

16. Chicago Bulls — My girlfriend had to tell me to shave the thin little mustache, and she told me she knew exactly why I was growing it. [KD]

17. Miami Heat — Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, coach was in CHiPs.

18. Milwaukee Bucks — "While the Bucks' 5-6 record isn't going to turn many heads in L.A. or New York, it's tough to complain given what they're up against: an obscene eight back-to-backs in the first month, 12 of the first 19 on the road, and seven games and counting without Michael Redd." Frank Madden. Boom! [JE]

19. New Jersey Nets — A young man blocks out harmful memories of weak ankles and significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life and win two games over the Hawks. "The Harris Effect," starring Devin Harris. [JE]

20. Indiana Pacers — The Pacers are actually outscoring their opponents by two a game, which puts them at 13th in the NBA, which means they're better than their record. And yet, six years after it hit the internet, nothing's better than this record. [KD]

21. San Antonio Spurs — Monty Williams has been annoying his family for weeks, stepping outside of restaurants to check his voicemail, and driving circuitous routes in order to stay in cell phone range. He thinks the call is coming. He thinks Pop is going to need him. He's really not as deluded as you think. [KD]

22. Golden State Warriors — If you have five dollars and undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has five dollars, undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has more money than you. [JE]

23. Sacramento Kings — The Kings are horrible. The team is a mismatched batch of parts that shouldn't fit, couldn't fit, and (eventually) won't fit. The team competed like mad all last season. The squad's offense, while iffy, is at least innovative and trying new things. The team is fun to watch. The team entertains the fans. The team works hard. The team is injured. The team has no singular focus off the court. The team has a singular focus on the court. The team should be worse than it is. And you want to fire the coach of this team? [KD]

24. Dallas Mavericks — Sigh. [JE]

25. Charlotte Bobcats — At least three times this season, 68-year-old coach Larry Brown has told his team to stop playing like Laverne and Shirley. Funny line, except "Laverne and Shirley" was a situation comedy that ABC cancelled in 1983. Nine of Brown's players weren't born yet. [JE]

26. Memphis Grizzlies — Once again, it's time for Matt Moore's Griz Semi-Chub. Take it away, good sir ... "The best part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, the fourth quarter will be exciting. They always seem to close the gap. The worst part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, they're probably going to lose, often in profoundly frustrating ways." [JE]

27. Washington Wizards — You just get the feeling that if Chris Whitney were around, none of this crap would be going down. [KD]

28. Minnesota Timberwolves — See: Grizzlies, Memphis.

29. Los Angeles Clippers — This team doesn’t play to expectations, however small. This team cannot rebound, in spite of two guys who had double-figure boards last year. This team is full of mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling (players that were acquired with both coach and front office knowing that they were mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling), who instead receive stern lectures in the press as a result. This team has played at home, a lot. This team loses, a lot. And this team wants to keep its coach? [KD]

30. Oklahoma City Thunder — "PJ Carlesimo is definitely a great hire if you're looking for someone to lose games, alienate fans and insult your city. If not, though, you might want to go with a guy who players respect." Sound advice. Embrace the comments, people. [JE]