Observations from Mavs-Blazers

• An accident on the Dallas Tollway delayed more than just the crowd trying to get to American Airlines Center. Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse were among those caught in traffic, each arriving about 75 minutes before tip-off. They normally begin their routines more than 90 minutes before the game.

• Avery Johnson on speculation that Blazers coach Nate McMillan is on the hot seat: “He should be in the cold seat. He should be on the sticky seat. That’s a joke to me.”

• Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips attended the game as a guest of the Mavs.