Warriors Audition Pietrus for Dallas?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Reading too much into a lineup change happens all the time. So when the Golden State Warriors used Mickael Pietrus in the starting lineup, it was at least a little unusual.

Pietrus has started just one other time since Nov. 19.

So what could the reasoning be behind his start?

It's no secret that the Mavericks have thought Pietrus is the sort of player that would fit well in coach Avery Johnson's system. When he was a restricted free agent this off-season, the Mavericks made the obligatory calls to Pietrus' agent if for nothing else than to kick the tires.

Could Pietrus' start on Wednesday have been a chance to showcase him for the Mavericks?

Maybe it's a coincidence, but maybe not, considering that the first day Pietrus could be traded was New Year's Day, three months after he signed his contract.

Things did not go swimmingly in his start. The 6-6 guard, who in a vintage Don Nelson move was listed as the starting center, had only eight points.

But perhaps it's noteworthy that six of his points came on a pair of corner 3-point shots, something the Mavericks always crave.

He's No. 2: The Mavericks have a rating system for players that takes into account more than just raw statistics.

And their efficiency rating is very positive for Golden State's Baron Davis, Johnson said.

"Davis is playing at an MVP level right now," Johnson said. "In our rating, he's No. 2 in the NBA behind LeBron [James]. So that's pretty strong company."

Quick getaways: Those jackrabbit starts that used to be so common for the Mavericks might be coming back into style.

For the second game in a row, the Mavericks had a 13-point lead after the first quarter. During the first 30 games of the season, they were averaging barely a point more than their opponents.

Doing fine, thank you: D.J. Mbenga latched on with the Warriors shortly after being waived by the Mavericks just before the season. It's turned out to be a blessing in many ways.

Though he is playing sparingly, his surgically repaired right knee is strong now, and he expects to ditch the bulky brace he's been wearing since the anterior cruciate ligament injury last season.

Back in the picture: Brandon Bass didn't play in the final game of 2007, the first time this season he's been out because of a coach's decision.

On Wednesday, he was back in action and made the most of it. He had 12 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. Perhaps most importantly, he had five fouls.

"You can't ever finish a game with no fouls," Johnson said.

That's what happened against Cleveland last week, the primary reason Bass was held out of the Atlanta game.</div>

Source: Dallas News