WESTERN CONFERENCE.(team-by-team analyses of National Basketball Association Western Conference)(Statistical Data Included)

Dallas

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: Don Nelson was cautiously optimistic at the start of the season that his emerging team could challenge for a playoff spot. He was wary because the league's balance of power is so heavily tilted toward the West and because Iris team had 17 of its first 27 games on the road As 2001 approaches, Nelson admitted the team has far surpassed his expectations as the Mavericks are challenging for the division lead.... SF Dirk Nowitzki was on the best roll of his career entering the weekend. He broke out of a slump with three straight games of 25 or more points. He is a candidate for a reserve spot on the All-Star team.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Low-post scoring is one of the team's shortcomings, and the return of PF Gary from an injury certainly is a solution. But the team is at its best on offense when it gets out and runs. Trent is most effective in a walk-it-up halfcourt attack, While it might get the team a few more inside buckets, a slow-motion offense might put the brakes on the up-tempo style that has fueled the team's quick start. As Trent works back into the flow, he can't rely totally on a low-post game. He must run with his teammates. --Ken Sins

Denver

TIMELY CONTRIBUTION: SC Voshon Lenard continues to struggle with inconsistent shooting, but he tends to connect when the team most needs him. Against the Pistons last week, Lenard wasn't much of a factor until the fourth quarter, when he drained a key 3-pointer. He finished with 7 points and 5 assists.... The platoon at small forward is working well for the team, with James Posey starting and George McCloud usually finishing.... C Raef LaFrentz has continued his torrid play since clearing the air with coach Dan Issel. Against the Pistons he couldn't score in the first half but erupted for 20 points in the second. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked a shot.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: PF Antonio McDyess is on his way to his best season. There are many reasons. Playing on the Olympic team did wonders for his confidence. A combination of playing great basketball and smarter basketball has created a new respect from officials. A season after battling a number of nagging injuries, he is healthy. And after hitting just 62 percent of his free throws last season, McDyess was hitting 72.4 percent entering the weekend. --Michael BeDan

Golden State