With a victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, the Mavericks will record their tenth consecutive 50-win season.

Since the NBA expanded to an 82-game schedule in 1967-68, only two teams have reached at least 50 victories 10 or more times in a row.

The Lakers did it 12 straight times 1979-80 through 1990-91 and San Antonio has accomplished the feat 10 straight seasons entering this one.

San Antonio's streak, however, may be in jeopardy.

The Spurs have 44 wins entering Wednesday's action, giving them just nine games to notch six wins.

Mavericks guard Caron Butler has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for using inappropriate language toward fans.

Stu Jackson, the league's executive vice president of operations, announced the fine on Saturday.

The incident occurred with 9.9 seconds left in the first half of the team's loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday.

Brendan Haywood was disappointed that Erick Dampier started in his place on Tuesday.

"I just work here," Haywood said after the Mavericks' 106-96 victory.

Rick Carlisle said his starting center could vary each night.

"They are a team," Carlisle said of Dampier and Haywood.

"I'm not fighting for minutes," Haywood said after Monday's practice. "We're fighting for a championship.

"Losing teams have competitions between players for playing time. That's what we were doing in D.C. That's losing basketball. We're competing to win a championship. It comes down to, if I'm bringing it, [Dampier's] going to support me. If he's bringing it, I'm going to support him."

Haywood got into three fights with ex-Wizards teammate Etan Thomas while they were competing for playing time. Haywood and Dampier have developed a friendly relationship.

"Coach dictates the minutes," Haywood said Monday. "That's his job. In Washington, [coach Eddie Jordan] made it known it was an open competition. This isn't a competition.

"[Jordan] felt like that competition fueled the team. It was actually terrible for the team. This is more along the lines of, whoever is playing the best, put him in the game and let's try to get something done."

The Mavericks allowed 44 first-half points to Chicago Wednesday, but 62 in the second half, which is why Rick Carlisle made sure they spent much of Friday working on defense.

"If you're going to be a championship-caliber team, you've got to be able to sustain," Carlisle said. "Sustainability is a big part of being a great team. We worked on that today and we're going to have to be better in games going forward."

Mavericks guard Jason Terry will return to the floor on Wednesday night against the Bulls.

Terry went through practice without problem on Monday. He was wearing a custom-fitted plastic mask to protect his facial-bone fracture.

"Jet has a track record of missing very few games," coach Rick Carlisle  said. "He's always come back earlier than expected. The injury was serious, but the fracture was such that it was a lower timetable than it could have been. It could have been several weeks."

Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea, who could become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, told the New York Post that the Knicks would be his first choice if he can't return to Dallas.

The Mavericks have a team option on Barea's contract.

"Hey, if I got to go somewhere, the Knicks is the place," Barea said. "It's New York City. A lot of Puerto Ricans over there. And I like the coach [Mike D'Antoni] they have now. I love his system and the way they play. If I got to go somewhere, I would love to be there."

Mavericks guard Jason Terry practiced on Friday after having facial surgery on March 5.

Terry is hoping to play next week. The original timetable for his return was set at 10-to-14 days.

"Even though I didn't make a shot in practice and couldn't see the basket, I'm pretty sure I'll be back in rare form," Terry said. "I'm looking at next week. We got two games and one of those two, I'll definitely be ready to go."

Dallas will play Chicago on Wednesday and Boston next Sunday.

Terry was wearing a protective mask during practice and has a custom mask on the way.

"I look terrible," he said. "That was probably the worst part and I'm glad there were no cameras in here. If you talk to any of the guys, there was a slip and fall incident on the court. I couldn't see. This mask was like a hockey mask. It was terrible."

The Miami Heat?s Dwyane Wade and the Dallas Mavericks? Dirk Nowitzki today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played March 1-7.

Miami posted a 3-0 week, which included wins over the Lakers and Hawks, behind Wade?s league-leading 33.3 points and 12.0 assists. Wade collected a point-assist double-double in each Heat win and posted two 20-point, 10-assist, five-rebound games. Wade became the first Heat player with 4,000 career field goals made on March 4 in Miami?s 114-111 victory over the Lakers.

The Mavericks enjoyed a 4-0 week behind Nowitzki, who ranked in the top 10 among Western Conference players in scoring (26.8 ppg ? 5th), rebounding (8.8 rpg ? 10th) and blocks (1.75 ? 5th). Nowitzki tallied 30-plus points for the 16th time this season on March 5 during a 108-100 win over the Kings. Since playing host to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, Dallas owns a league-best 11-1 record.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston?s Rajon Rondo, Charlotte?s Tyrus Thomas, Cleveland?s LeBron James, Denver?s Carmelo Anthony, Houston?s Luis Scola, Milwaukee?s Carlos Delfino, Oklahoma City?s Kevin Durant, Orlando?s Jameer Nelson and Phoenix?s Amar?e Stoudemire

Mavericks guard Jason Terry underwent surgery Friday to repair facial injuries sustained during Wednesday night's game vs. Minnesota.  

He is expected to make a full recovery and return to basketball activities in 10-14 days.

Jason Terry is scheduled for surgery on Friday to address facial injuries sustained against Minnesota.

RealGM Note: Terry received an elbow and forearm from Corey Brewer, leading to a broken orbital bone.