Mavericks’ Parsons, Harris miss practice with injuries

Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons and Devin Harris likely will be game-time decisions for Tuesday’s Game 2 matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Neither Parsons nor Harris practiced on Monday as coach Rick Carlisle officially listed them as questionable.

“They did not do anything,” Carlisle said after practice Monday. “They did lifting and rehab work.”

Harris’ situation is not a surprise. He played briefly in the Mavericks’ 118-108 loss to the Rockets on Saturday, sitting out the entire second half because of toe issues on his left foot. Harris missed the final regular season game with turf toe.

Parsons continues to be bothered a sore right knee that kept him out the final six games of the regular season. He played through pain Saturday, logging 36 minutes, 10 points and six rebounds.

It remains sore, but there don’t appear to be any added problems.

“Thought he played well considering he hadn’t played in six games,” Carlisle said. “There might not be an update until the game when we submit all our stuff.”

Harden watch

The Mavericks seemingly did a good job defending Rockets star James Harden in the opener, limiting him to 4-of-11 shooting.

But the box score told a different story as Harden ended with 24 points, including a host of free throws down the stretch, while adding 11 assists.

Former Mavericks Jason Terry and Corey Brewer took advantage of the attention Harden was getting, combining for 31 points.

“He’s such a great player that it’s our job is to try to make it as difficult as possible for him,” Carlisle said. “We’re playing him in a way he’s involving other teammates so we have to mix things up some. Great players will adjust to the same coverage every single time, but we did some good things but there’s things we can do a little bit better.”

Briefly

▪ Forward Amar’e Stoudemire made 2 of 12 shots in Game 1. But Carlisle is not worried. “He had some shots around the basket that were good shots and it just didn’t go in, which is going to happen,” Carlisle said. “The guy has been shooting an amazing percentage since he’s been here. Guys will have an off game once in a while. But he has to stay aggressive and we have to stay in attack mode.”

▪ Carlisle also wants point guard Rajon Rondo to stay in attack mode. Rondo scored 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting in Game 1. His 16 shots were more than Dirk Nowitzki and tied with Monta Ellis for the highest on the team. “I like the way Rondo played,” Carlisle said. “He’s been playing good basketball for the last month and he needs to stay aggressive. We need him to play his game, keep working it, keep pacing our game, guard the heck out of people and make plays.”

This story was originally published April 20, 2015 at 7:27 PM with the headline "Mavericks’ Parsons, Harris miss practice with injuries."