Veteran Mavericks see extra rest as beneficial

Although they received their fair share of rest, the Mavericks don't believe rust will be a problem in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series at 8 tonight at American Airlines Center.

Jason Kidd is the player the Mavericks are concerned will wear down with a game every other day in the series against the Thunder. That's why the time off was a godsend for the 38-year old Kidd.

"I think the big thing is we feel good," Kidd said. "We would have liked to have started on Sunday. The rest that we have is over with, we've got to start playing basketball."

Because the Mavs swept the Los Angeles Lakers while the Thunder was extended to seven games by Memphis, tonight's game matches a well-rested team against one that played Sunday.

"To get rest this time of the year you have to be thankful," Kidd said, "and now we get to play every other day."

Guard Jason Terry said the Mavs didn't hang around the pool and eat hotdogs.

"We got a lot of extra work in after practice," Terry said. "During practice it was live, it was competitive. We welcome a different opponent now because we've beaten up on each other for the last week."