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

Dallas

A NEW MAV MAX: Controversial SG Vernon Maxwell will be expected to behave himself. Maxwell was brought in to provide depth behind Michael Finley, but if Maxwell muses any problems he'll be gone. Maxwell hadn't been in a game since he was released by the 76ers in December, and he struggled with his conditioning in his first couple of practices. Once Maxwell gets into shape, he's projected to play 10-15 minutes a night off the bench in relief of Finley, who needs to reduce his workload if he is to have anything left for the playoffs.... PF Juwan Howard is growing more at ease in the offense. Now he has to improve his free-throw shooting and rebounding.

DOWN THE STRETCH: Team officials say the acquisitions of Howard and Maxwell demonstrate how serious they are about breaking the playoff drought. Coach-G.M. Don Nelson thinks the team is talented enough to advance past the first round and give a contender a tough run in the conference semifinals. Nelson must further integrate Howard's low-post game into the offense and get Maxwell into shape. Howard needs to get 10-15 shots per game to be effective; some will come from the allotment of Finley and Dirk Nowitzki. As long as the team keeps winning, neither will mind. Projected record: 51-31, third, Midwest. --Ken Sins

Denver

IT'S ALL AN ILLUSION: If anyone was fooled by last week's victory over the Lakers, the Nuggets' meltdown two nights later against the Timberwolves provided a reality check. Losing at home by 18 after a day's rest and an inspired win over the world champs just shows how far this team is from making a serious playoff run.... The reserves played big minutes against Minnesota, with most of the game being garbage time. But they scored only 28 points. SF George McCloud struggled with his shot, hitting just 1 of 5. SF Ryan Bowen led the reserves with 9 points. When Bowen is the leading scorer off the bench, the Nuggets are in trouble.

DOWN THE STRETCH: The team can only hope to figure out why it doesn't perform consistently. That has been the Nuggets' downfall. It was their downfall last season. The Nuggets will be looking for a consistent third scorer in the offseason, but this season they can only evaluate the current crop of veterans--C Kevin Willis, SG Voshon Lenard, etc.--and figure out why the infusion of leadership didn't help. With PF Antonio McDyess and PG Nick Van Exel having career years, the Nuggets should be a better team. They aren't, and the reasons why might start at the top. Coach/G.M. Dan Issel has to hope they can win 43 or 44 games to save one or both of his jobs. It's not likely at this rate. Projected record: 39-43, sixth, Midwest. --Michael BeDan

Golden State