Mavs Full Court Press

E. Jones wants long streak

Eddie Jones is starting to feel like his old self again. He's playing good defense and slowly but surely he feels his short coming around.

He played a solid 15 minutes against Golden State and did a nice job defending 6-foot-8 Stephen Jackson and getting him off to a bad start.

Up next is Jones' former team, the Miami Heat. Jones played for the Heat before they beat the Mavs in the 2006 Final. They traded him to Memphis before getting him back after they won title.

He said playing the Heat on Friday is just another step in what he really wants.

"To me, it's just a game, we're trying to win a game -- what is it two wins in a row now? -- we're just trying to keep our streak alive," Jones said. "I want to be a part of one of those 14-game win streaks they had last year, that's what I want to be a part of."

-- Jeff Caplan

Plan for Eddie

Eddie Jones has been back in the starting lineup the last two games. If you're looking strictly at points, you won't be impressed. Although, coach Avery Johnson hopes Eddie will be able to drop a few 3-pointers and spread defenses, playing defense and rebounding is the key.

But, Jones has also been an offensive spark in the early goings of the last two games. Against Orlando, he had six assists in the first six minutes  and added three more in the opening minutes against Phoenix. That's important because it helps the Mavs' offense get the ball moving around early, hopefully setting a tempo.

As far as the future, Johnson said his plan is to give Eddie about five to six minutes in the first quarter, two to three minutes in the second and then repeat the pattern in the second half, giving him between 18 to 20 minutes for the game.

"And if he can join that finishing team it makes us bigger at the guard position and, again, it keeps Jet and Devin fresh to play the type of on-ball defense that we want, and to be effective offensively, where you don't have save yourself, so that's what we're hoping that we get to."

It would be interesting if Jones proves himself worthy of being on the floor in late-game situations. Avery does love the prospect of his 6-foot-6 frame being out there on defense and Jones has nailed a few big 3s in his long career. But, if he's out there, Avery loves Jason Terry's big shot ability, Jerry Stackhouse is coming on now and is a regular in late-game situations and Devin Harris is the point man. Somebody, it would seem, can't be out there.

It was interesting as well in crunch time against Phoenix that Terry and Devin were on the floor, but it was Terry doing most of the ballhandling.

-- Jeff Caplan

Jones starts

Hold onto your hats, but Eddie Jones is in the starting lineup, something like Back to the Future, or something.

And, wow, Dwight Howard is one solid dude.

-- Jeff Caplan

Eddie Jones is in

Yes, folks, Eddie Jones, the man Avery Johnson hopes will eventually become the starting two guard, will be in uniform tonight and could get some minutes.

Avery Johnson said it probably won't be until next week that he'll put Jones in the starting lineup.

But now finally Jones and Devean George are playing, which should help the Mavs defensively. Both players have said they've noticed a lack of energy on the defensive end and each specializes in that area.

It will be interesting to monitor defensive progress has both players get more involved.

-- Jeff Caplan

Jones close ... real close

Eddie Jones completed a vigorous workout at Tuesday’s practice, running the length of the court and shooting 3-pointers at each end, repeating the drill multiple times.

He’ll be a game-time decision tonight. If Jones plays, it will be his first action since Nov. 13 and the first time he and Devean George, two keys to Johnson’s plan at shooting guard, will be available at the same time.

“I want to get to a point where I can get to a solid 10 [players in the rotation],” Johnson said, “and figure out if I can start Eddie or not.”

-- Jeff Caplan