With his team fresh off its best performance of the season, Don Nelson was in a playful mood Wednesday.

The Mavericks coach had terminated practice for some 30 minutes when guards Michael Finley and Steve Nash, forward Dirk Nowitzki and developmental coach Morlon Wiley hung around to play some friendly games of one-on-one. That's when Nelson came down from his office and went into a comedic tirade.

"Hey, get out of the gym," Nelson playfully said. "You take one more shot and it's $500. If you want to take it, you take it.

"It's a $500 bill, and the coaches will go out and have a little beer. Nowitkzi, get up and take your shower. Finley, get out of here."

Nelson can afford a few high jinks with his players, especially after the Mavericks smashed a Charlotte team (110-92) many are expecting to grab one of the top four spots in the Eastern Conference.