Jan Hubbard 
MAVERICKS PLAYBOOK
Stackhouse: Big picture matters
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
SEATTLE -- In the past few weeks, even when the Dallas Mavericks have struggled, Jerry Stackhouse consistently has made the point that jumping to conclusions is imprudent.
And that includes jumping to good conclusions. In less than two weeks, the Mavericks have gone from a team that no one took seriously as an NBA title contender to one that seems to be playing its best basketball at the most important time of the year, and that's even with the loss Saturday in Portland.
That game can be disregarded because Stackhouse and Josh Howard were sidelined with injuries and the Blazers had an inspired effort in their last home game of the season. Even playing shorthanded, the Mavericks had a chance to win the game late, but the Blazers hung on for the victory.
Stackhouse did not agree that the Mavericks were playing badly when they were 0-10 against playoff level teams. And he said that despite a 3-1 record in their past four games against contenders, the Mavericks are not in danger of developing overconfidence.
"You don't have time to gloat about the good things," Stackhouse said, "because before long it's going to change. You just wait a day, and things are all different."
The Hornets are experiencing that right now. New Orleans left for a road trip with a two-game lead in the Western Conference, but lost against the Lakers in Los Angeles and then were stunned by the Kings in Sacramento.
Suddenly the Hornets have gone from hot to cold and could be in danger of dropping as low as fifth in the conference standings.
Of the top seven teams in the West, only the Lakers and Dallas have one game remaining. With LA's victory over San Antonio on Sunday, it now seems certain the Lakers will have the No. 1 seed in the West.
But the Mavericks' first-round opponent is still a mystery. It looks as if it will be the Hornets, Spurs or Rockets, but even that is not certain.
The West promises to be unpredictable all the way until the last night of the regular season Wednesday when New Orleans is at Dallas, Utah is at San Antonio, Portland is at Phoenix and the Clippers are in Houston.
Teamless in Seattle?
Seattle native Jason Terry was a popular pregame interview and reiterated how difficult it is for him to realize the Sonics are probably leaving Seattle.
"It's hard to hear all those things and realize it may be a reality," Terry said. "It's going to be tough. So hopefully once they leave they can get another team to come back in here. Seattle without basketball is tough. We love the Mariners; we love the Seahawks. But the Sonics are always in our heart."
Terry purchased more than 80 tickets for family and friends when the Mavericks visited Seattle the first time this season, but said he had to buy only 60 Sunday.
"Some of the others were able to get their own tickets," he said, "so that was good."
Briefly
Jerry Stackhouse missed his ninth consecutive game with a sore right hamstring, but Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said that Stackhouse will participate in a full practice Tuesday and will play against the Hornets in the last regular-season game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
The Mavs are off today. They stayed in Seattle on Sunday night and were scheduled to travel to Dallas this morning.
BREAKDOWN
Why the SuperSonics won: They may not be playing for a playoff berth, but the Sonics were playing for a city. The young Seattle team received a huge boost from a spirited crowd that may have been watching their team's 41-year history in Seattle coming to an end. At the end, that boost was enough to give the Sonics the edge they needed.
Three keys
Kick 'em while they're down: The Mavericks had a 14-point lead in the first quarter, but the Sonics came back and led by nine in the third period. Seattle did not fold when it got behind.
Maybe get Dirk some rest: That was the goal after Dirk Nowitzki played 40 minutes in Portland on Saturday. But because the Sonics played so well, Nowitzki had to play 34 minutes. He led the Mavericks with 32 points.
Let it fly: One night after going 3-for-15 from the field, Jason Terry was 10-of-18 and had 25 points. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, Terry missed two late shots as Dallas went the final 3:14 without scoring.
Up next: vs. Hornets, 6 p.m. Wednesday
SPOTLIGHT A TRAVEL LOG
For Seattle fans, it's a worst-case scenario. For Oklahoma City fans, it's a best-case scenario.
For the NBA's division setup, it doesn't really matter.
When the NBA went from four to six divisions four years ago, it realigned strictly by geography. But it created one far-flung division, the Northwest. Seattle and Portland were taken out of the Pacific Division and placed with Utah, Denver and Minnesota.
In terms of miles, however, Oklahoma City is closer to Minnesota and Denver than Seattle is. And even factoring in Portland and Utah, the total air miles, according to webflyer.com, is only 305 additional miles. So, oddly, it will not be necessary for the Sonics to change divisions. The air miles:
| To | Seattle | OKC |
| Portland | 129 | 1,480 |
| Utah | 687 | 864 |
| Minnesota | 1,390 | 694 |
| Denver | 1,020 | 493 |
| Total | 3,226 | 3,531 |
