They have played only one game since beating the Mavericks, 92-83, a week ago. In that game, they lost at home to Oklahoma City, 101-98, despite the return of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker from ankle injuries. Duncan had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Parker had 17 points and five assists. ... Coach Gregg Popovich is experimenting with Parker and second-year guard George Hill, who was a shooting guard in college but has been a point guard for the Spurs. ... Richard Jefferson blistered the Mavericks last week with 29 points and the Spurs' defense snuffed the Mavericks, who shot just 35.4 percent.

They can't say enough about the job Drew Gooden has done in place of Erick Dampier, who will be out again while undergoing further tests after he became ill Sunday before the Detroit game. Gooden averaged 16.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in two starts and had the key tipin that tied the score in overtime against Milwaukee on Monday. "When the opportunity knocked, he was ready," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's been a challenging transition for him to a new team. He's had to come off the bench, which he's not used to. But he kept a great attitude about it." ... The Mavericks have been spreading it around of late with five players in double figures in each of the last two games.

Eddie Sefko