So playing forward meant some down-and-dirty physical play, a reliance on that same old Utah pair ? Karl Malone and John Stockton ? and an 18-1 flourish to end the game for a 107-98 Utah victory over the Mavericks on Monday.

"We gave it away," Juwan Howard said, shaking his head afterward.

Even with a suddenly healthy Dirk Nowitzki, who tested his heavily taped left ankle before the game and declared himself ready to play despite the strained left ankle tendon.