Yet hope remains, at least in the Mavs’ locker room, that this team can get healthy and make a run.

“It’s been a tough ride, but we knew with so many games in so many days that injuries were going to be a part of the season, especially with an older team,” (Dirk) Nowitzki said. “It’s been tough having some guys in and out. Hopefully we can get everybody healthy here at last, make a push and get some momentum going towards the playoffs.”

They’re counting on gray-haired, 39-year-old point guard Jason Kidd to recover from a strained right groin and perform like he did last postseason. They’re crossing their fingers that Lamar Odom can contribute during the playoffs after rarely showing a pulse since his broken-hearted arrival from Los Angeles.

We could go on and on, but let’s just say the list of things that have to go exactly right for the Mavs to repeat is a heck of a lot longer than the reasons to believe.

“No concern at all,” (Jason) Terry said. “I know if we’re healthy and intact that we’re as dangerous as any other team in the West.”

via Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas