OKLAHOMA CITY -- When Brandan Wright arrived in Dallas from the New Jersey Nets, his shooting range wasn't much to talk about.
Now the Mavericks' backup center has frequently stepped outside the paint and dropped in one 12-footer after another. And coach Rick Carlisle can thank developmental coach Brad Davis for Wright having his shooting range extended."He lives with Brad Davis -- those guys are inseparable," Carlisle said before Monday's game against Oklahoma City. "They work extremely hard."Brandan's gotten a lot better in the two years that he's been with us in large part because of the work that Brad's has done with him in his shooting. His outside shot has gotten better."Wright, who averages 7.5 points and 3.2 rebounds, also has improved another area of his offensive game that has allowed Carlisle to turn to him more often."He's increased his range and he's a much better pick-and-pop player than he was when he came to us," Carlisle said. "He works hard and he stays ready and we love him."He's a great kid. He's stepped up in a lot of big moments for us this year."Wright was a first-round draft pick (eighth overall) of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2007. But the Bobcats shipped him to Golden State in a draft-day trade, and he stayed with the Warriors until they traded him to the New Jersey Nets in February 2011.The Mavs signed Wright to a free-agent contract in December 2011 with the purpose of him helping clog the middle defensively. But now that he's added an offensive game, all the more better for the Mavs."I think I can play period," said Wright, who is shooting 62.3 percent from the field. "I think I'm a good enough player to be out there every night."I'm just waiting for my opportunities."Special nightThe Mavs will host their annual African American Heritage Night on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when they play the Golden State Warriors.A special ticket can be purchased and includes a pass to the postgame party in the Audi Club. A portion of the proceeds will go toward scholarships provided by the Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations and the United Negro College Fund.The featured attraction will be a halftime performance by the world-famed Grambling State University marching band.For more information, call Gail O'Bannon at 214-747-6287.Carter out sickForward Vince Carter missed his first game of the season Monday with an illness.Carter is one of the Mavs' more productive players with averages of 12.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 25.2 minutes. He also is shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from 3-point range and 83.1 percent at the free-throw line, the second-best mark of his career.Guard O.J. Mayo is the only Mavs player who has played in all 48 games.James waits his turnRookie center Bernard James never thought he could step right in and earn significant playing time, especially because he was behind Chris Kaman and Elton Brand."These are great players," James said. "These are All-Stars, former All-Stars that are out here playing. So I've just got to work on my game and get better, and that's what I've been doing the whole time."Dwain Price, 817-390-7760Twitter: @DwainPrice
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