Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler out with back spasms
The Dallas Mavericks will play without their starting forward Caron Butler when they go up against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday 10 November at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
Butler, who was acquired by the Mavericks from the Washington Wizards along with centre Brendan Haywood before the trade deadline last season, did not travel with the team on Tuesday 9 November
because of back spasms.
Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle also said that the 30-year-old forward will still be listed on a day-to-day status when they head back home to play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday
12 November, although he believes that the injury is not serious.
“We don't think it's serious,” said Carlisle. “But, we want to get it taken care of.”
The eight-year veteran and former Connecticut standout struggled to find his usual fiery form in their first six games, shooting only 39.1 per cent from the floor and 36.4 per cent from beyond-the-arc,
but he managed to tally 14.2 points per game, which is the third-highest in their team.
Carlisle, on the other hand, refused to reveal who will take over the starting spot left by Butler, who only shot 10-for-30 in their last two games before leaving in the third quarter of
their 89-87 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday 8 November.
However, DeShawn Stevenson will likely start after impressing Carlisle in their recent games and practices, although the veteran coach said that they will still sorely miss the presence of
Butler.
“I liked the way Stevenson played against Boston,” said Carlisle. “He did a good job for us. But with Butler out, that changes the dynamic of our team a little.”
Jason Terry could also start, but Carlisle said that he and the whole team is comfortable of playing him off the bench because of the instant energy that he can bring for their second unit.
“Jet off the bench has been a great situation for us. I just think it's the right thing to leave the options open, knowing that Jet off the bench is always a good thing,” he said.
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