By Marty Gitlin
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The Utah Jazz had the best home record in the NBA.

That is had, as in past tense. Because now that distinction belongs to the Dallas Mavericks, who saw to it personally Tuesday night with a 108-105 victory in Utah.

And it was Dirk Nowitzki (who else?) who stuck the dagger in with two free throws with 10 seconds remaining. The 7-foot forward finished with 38 points and is averaging 30 in his last six games.

The Mavericks felt particularly motivated to avenge a lopsided loss to the Jazz earlier in the year and by the ejection of Jerry Stackhouse, who was tossed at the end of the third quarter for a flagrant foul after having been hit for a technical early in the game for arguing with Utah coach Jerry Sloan.

“It’s personal,” Stackhouse told the Associated Press. “They don’t like me, and I don’t like them.”

Dallas guard Jason Terry, who emerged from a recent shooting slump to score 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, felt attitude played a huge role in the victory.

“(Utah) is very physical, but we matched their aggression and came out on top,” he said. “We had more emphasis on being aggressive, taking what the defense gives you and attacking.”

The Mavericks are a strong bet to win again Wednesday night against visiting Portland. WagerWeb.com lists Dallas as a 13-point favorite.

COMEBACK TRAILS: The Atlanta Hawks are badly in need of an infusion. After all, they have lost nine of their last 10, including a 91-72 defeat in Indiana Tuesday night.

That’s why the sight of key reserve guard Tyronn Lue and starting forward Josh Smith at practice has provided such an emotional boost. Lue (strained groin) returned to action against the Pacers, while Smith is expected back within a week after undergoing hernia surgery.

Smith won’t play Wednesday night against New Orleans, a team more battered than the Hawks. The visiting Hornets are 5.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards await the return of Etan Thomas, who had been the starting center before missing a month with a sprained left ankle. Brendan Haywood will start Wednesday night against visiting Chicago and might continue to do so.

The Wizards are 10-3 since Thomas was sidelined. Haywood is averaging 9.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and is shooting 63 percent from the field during that stretch.

WagerWeb.com lists Washington as a 3.5-point favorite against the Bulls.

ANOTHER SIXER GONE? According to published reports, the Philadelphia 76ers might buy out the contract of forward Chris Webber as early as Wednesday.

Webber has missed 10 of the last 13 games, ostensibly due to foot and ankle problems, though he has complained bitterly about a lack of playing time, particularly in the fourth quarter of games.

The Sixers fell, 98-89, at home against Detroit Tuesday night and are 3.5-point underdogs Wednesday night in New York, according to Wager.Web.com, which also posts the Pistons as 9-point favorites at home against Charlotte.

DRIBBLES: Slumping point guard T.J. Ford missed all eight of his shots and managed just one assist as Toronto starters scored just 29 points combined Tuesday night in a 101-86 loss in New Jersey. The victory returned the Nets back into first place in the Atlantic Division. The Raptors hope to rebound Wednesday night in Milwaukee, where they are 2-point favorites against the decimated Bucks, according to WagerWeb.com. … Cleveland won its fifth straight and eighth of nine, starting a seven-game road trip on the right foot with a 108-98 victory in Sacramento. The Cavaliers roared back from a 17-point deficit to maintain the best record in the Eastern Conference. … What happened to Nick Collison on Tuesday night? The non-descript Seattle center exploded for career-highs in points (29) and rebounds (21) in a 113-102 loss in Phoenix. Collison would like to duplicate that effort in a win for the slumping Sonics at home Wednesday night against Miami. WagerWeb.com lists Seattle as a 1-point favorite.



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