WESTERN CONFERENCE.

Dallas

TOUGH DEFENSE: The team was encouraged by its halfcourt defense against the Heat, holding Miami to just over 40 percent shooting from the field. One of the raps against the Mavericks is that their supposedly soft defense will be exposed in the playoffs, when there's more of a premium on a halfcourt game and fewer opportunities to play the up-tempo style Dallas favors. So the coaching staff was especially pleased to beat the Heat, one of the best defensive teams in the league, at its own game.... Coach Don Nelson says he might return to the bench a little earlier than anticipated by doctors. Nelson, who remains at his offseason home in Maul recovering from prostate cancer surgery, originally was set to miss about eight weeks, putting his return in early March. Nelson now says he might be able to advance that timetable to late February.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The emergence of PF Dirk Nowitzki as a major offensive force and the comeback by 3-point threat PG Steve Nash should mean a diminished role in the offense for SG Michael Finley. Finley, who became a two-time All-Star last week, has been as active on the offensive end as he was last season. His shooting accuracy is also almost identical to last season. Give Nash some credit for making sure Finley is the first option while keeping Nowitzki and himself active. --Ken Sins

Denver

MORE ROAD WOES: The team has designs on making the playoffs, and it performs like a playoff team at home but not on the road. The Nuggets are playing better than they did on their last 0-4 Eastern swing but still are losing. They can't find the final push. PF Antonio McDyess and PG Nick Van Exel can't do it by themselves. The Nuggets need at least a third scorer to win away from home. SG Voshon Lenard and SF George McCloud are dangerous shooters, but the supporting cast rarely shows up on the road.... The team signed journeyman PG Anthony Goldwire to a 10-day contract after Van Exel ruptured a tendon in his foot. But Van Exel has played on. The Nuggets likely will keep Goldwire for the rest of the season unless someone else is injured and their plans change.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Midway through his sixth season, McDyess has blossomed into a legitimate All-Star. His confidence continues to soar. He has learned to stay out of foul trouble, and his game has developed into a dangerous combination of perimeter shooting and strong drives to the basket. He is making his free throws this season and continues to play tough defense. The addition of F/C Kevin Willis makes McDyess' job easier in the paint. Defensively, McDyess is free to guard other power forwards rather than centers when Willis is on the floor. --Michael BeDan

Golden State