Band on the run

If the preseason could be extended one more game, Avery Johnson wouldn’t mind. Eight games would seem to be enough, but as a perfectionist in an imperfect world, Johnson can always find more to work on.

So if he did have those 48 minutes under the bright lights with the popcorn popping, what would the Mavericks coach want to address?

“Transition offense, believe it or not,” Johnson said. “Just for us to run.”

The Mavs didn’t get out on the break enough last season, especially late in the season, for Johnson’s liking. Though defense is their calling card, the team is also built to run with two lightning-quick point guards in Devin Harris and Jason Terry, along with a host of wings that can fill the lane in Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones and Trenton Hassell.

“I like when Devin gets out in the open court,” Johnson said. “It is really beautiful when he gets out in the open court and makes things happen and probes and looks for openings.”