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Barea seizing opportunity for red-hot Mavericks

Dec 9, 2008 - 11:35 AM San Antonio (11-8) at Dallas (11-8) 8:30 pm. EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- Jose Juan Barea is making a strong case for more playing time, even when Josh Howard returns to the Dallas Mavericks.

Barea looks to continue his surprising start and lead the Mavericks to their fifth straight win when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Barea has been a revelation for Dallas, which is still without its second-leading scorer. Howard, who is averaging 20.3 points, has missed the last eight games with a sprained ankle.

An undrafted free agent, Barea has taken advantage of the opportunity, averaging 20.0 points in two starts. He scored 18 points in a 112-97 win over Phoenix on Thursday and a season-high 22 in a 100-98 victory over Atlanta on Saturday.

Dallas hasn't missed a beat without Howard, going 7-1 in his absence. The Mavericks have won nine of 10 overall.

The Spurs also have been hot, having won two straight and seven of nine. Tony Parker had 22 points and eight assists in a 108-91 win over Denver on Thursday.

The teams split a pair of meetings here last season.