On Tuesday, Avery Johnson dismissed talk that Reggie Miller was on the Mavericks' short list of players they would like to bring in.

He did say that the team is open to anybody with the proper credentials ? playoff experience and the ability to do at least one thing very well.

"I wouldn't say it has to be any particular spot," Johnson said. "We have an order of what we prefer. But there's not really a lot of choices right now. If we can't get somebody in that order, we'll take the best veteran available."

No way of knowing how serious it is yet, but Reggie Miller could be a candidate for the Mavericks' vacant roster spot.

Owner Mark Cuban brought up Miller's name before Monday's game against the Hawks. The former Indiana Pacers star is the No. 1 3-point shooter in NBA history. He retired after the 2004-05 season, but remains in excellent physical shape.

The Mavericks became the first team in NBA history with three winning streaks of at least 12 games in a season by beating the Atlanta Hawks 110-87 on Monday night.

The Mavericks' 12th consecutive victory gives them two 12-game winning streaks and one of 13 games -- or a baker's dozen. Dallas, which owns the league's best record at 47-9, has also won a club-record 20 consecutive home games after dismantling the Hawks.

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly interested in acquiring Chicago forward P.J. Brown.

"I haven't heard that, but it's an interesting possibility," said Brown, who added of the perks of a Cuban-owned team, "They got a great record and a nice locker room. They got lots of nice things there. I wouldn't have a problem with that.

"It's good to hear my name mentioned anywhere because it means that I'm wanted,'' Brown said. "I still got some game left."

According to sources that spoke with the Denver Post, the Mavericks are also interested in Eduardo Najera

Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni confirmed that Dirk Nowitzki would replace the injured Yao Ming in the starting lineup for the Western Conference.

Devean George will be out for about two weeks as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

George was injured in Tuesday's win at Milwaukee.

Coach Avery Johnson termed the prognosis "good news," although George's absence impacts the rotation.

"I don't know if he's replaceable, OK," Johnson said. "He does a lot of different things for us. We're definitely going to miss him, but again we never make excuses when a guy is out. Somebody else has to step in and pick up the slack."

Maurice Ager was recalled from the D-League on Thursday by the Dallas Mavericks.

He's averaging 14 points and three assists for the Fort Worth developmental team.

Dallas Mavericks forward Devean George has a sprained right knee and will miss Thursday night's game at Houston.

George was hurt in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in Milwaukee when he went sprawling for a loose ball. He had to be helped off the court.

The team said Wednesday that George has a sprained MCL.

Dirk Nowitzki had no love for Dwyane Wade on Sunday when he responded for the first time to the NBA Finals MVP's recent comments questioning his leadership.Nowitzki, an MVP candidate for the league-leading Mavericks, struck a nerve two weeks ago when he said Dallas gave the NBA championship to the Heat last season. Wade responded Thursday, telling Miami reporters, "He's the reason they lost the championship, because he wasn't the leader he's supposed to be in the closing moments."

Mark Cuban, the outspoken Mavericks owner, responded to Wade in his blog, saying, "You don't have a clue" about Nowitzki's leadership and telling Wade, "You obviously have an over-inflated value of your own."

Nowitzki hadn't commented on the controversy until Sunday, when he spoke with Newsday.

"All I said two weeks ago when we played them was, we feel like we gave them the championship," Nowitzki said. "We had a 2-0 lead, we were up 10 with a couple of minutes left in Game 3. If we win that Game 3, we have a chance to close the series out. That's really all I said, and I don't know why he got all sensitive about it."

Asked if Wade's response surprised him, Nowitzki said, "I really don't care. Hopefully we'll get a rematch and we'll go from there."

After Dwyane Wade took a shot at the leadership skills of Mavericks go to guy Dirk Nowitzki, everyone knew it wouldn't be long before Mark Cuban defended his big man.  Cuban, once again, did not let us down, rewarding his readers via his blog at blogmaverick.com

''I guess you have earned the right to criticize Dirk with an obvious display of your own leadership skills,'' Cuban wrote in his blog.

''I know Shaq appreciates your leadership as well. He called out your team a few weeks ago saying it was "embarassing'. Great leadership DWade. Your coach sat players for being fat. I guess you couldnt lead them away from the buffet.

You are an amazing player Dwayne. I love watching you shoot free throws. What you know about Dirk's leadership skills is non existent. You don't have a clue. Your ability to evaluate leadership skills....well you obviously have an overinflated value of your own. Did you take business classes at Marquette ?''