Lakers Vs. Mavericks: Will Dallas Ever Win Again?

The Dallas Mavericks, burdened by a six-game losing streak, find no solace in Wednesday's schedule, as the L.A. Lakers are in town (9 PM Eastern, ESPN). The Mavericks have lost nine of 11 overall, many of those coming without star Dirk Nowitzki. But the former MVP has been in action for two games, both losses.

Nowitzki's re-debut against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday came with a whole lot of rust, as Dirk scored seven points in just 15 minutes before being ejected for arguing foul calls. Dallas' offense was simply dreadful, as it had been for much of Nowitzki's nine-game injury absence, during which the team went 2-7.

Dirk and the Mavs' attack looked better Monday against the Detroit Pistons, but Dallas' defense fell apart as the 'Stons shot 58 percent en route to a 103-89 win. When the Mavericks were racing through the NBA, stacking up giant wins over the Miami Heat (twice!), San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, a balanced effort -- solid offense, solid defense -- became a team hallmark. Since Nowitzki's injury, the team has just been erratic, with little going right. Of course, the team also had to deal with the loss of Caron Butler, something that threw Rick Carlisle's rotations all out of whack when combined with Nowitzki's hiatus.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have ripped eight wins in nine games, glad to rid L.A.'s inkwells of weight. That is to say that when the Lakers succeed, the stories about Kobe Bryant's shot selection or Pau Gasol's toughness or Phil Jackson's ability to reach the players who have heard so much from him ... those tend to, like an inkwell left alone, dry up. But a race back to the banner headlines and thinly sourced exposés are only a loss or two away, even with a typically solid team like the Mavericks in queue.