The sports Weekend WrapUp -- presented, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, in advance of the actual start of the weekend!. ...

* Mavs coach Avery Johnson was asked this week about the change in the team's style of play from previous years. He said the franchise has come to the realization that it's not just about all-offense-all-the-time.
"It's no more 'Shootout Out In The OK Corral,'' AJ told the assembled media.
"Shootout Out In The OK Corral''?
I cornered Johnson later -- and I mean cornered -- because as soon as he made the reference, I made a bet with myself that Avery Johnson has no idea what "Gunfight At The OK Corral'' is.
"Mike, you're right,'' he said later. "No idea. You got me.''

Clearly, while AJ watches a lot of "film,'' he doesn't get much time to watch a lot of "films.''

* Did Tim Cowlishaw lose a bet? Was this like a high-school debate class project, where one kid gets the "pro'' and you're forced to argue the "con''? Is he trying to kiss up to someone in power who is anti-Don Nelson? How else to explain Tim's column scoffing at Nellie's qualifications for the Basketball Hall of Fame? Read Cowlishaw here, and my man Larry Legend's here.

And then you decide: Isn't being against Don Nelson for the Basketball Hall of Fame like being against the flowers in May?

* Thursday night. 8:26 p.m. I'm at the Mavs game, but I've got a TV remote-control in my hand. The Big Four Networks offer me:

1) On Fox, "Skating With Celebrities.'' You know, dancing on ice.

2) On NBC, "Olympic Figure Skating.'' You know, dancing on ice.

3) On ABC, "Dancing With The Stars.'' You know, more dancing.

I was afraid to turn it to CBS. For fear of seeing, I dunno. ... "Dances With Wolves''?

* I know the national commentators are still stuck in a time warp and figuring the Mavs don't play D. But check this out: Over the past 30 games, Mavs opponents are averaging just 20.1 points in the fourth quarter and are doing it on just 35.9-percent shooting. Kids, that's defense. And it's defense in the clutch.

* Mavs guard Marquis Daniels has Psalm 91, in its entirety, tatooed along the side of his torso. (For the record, your Psalm 91.) Which takes up a lot of ink, given that it comes in 16 parts. And that it is just a portion of 'Quis' body art, which also include fists that read "God's Gift,'' assorted guns and knives and stuff, the phrase "Look Through The Eyes Of A Killer'' and, covering almost his entire back, a somewhat detailed map of his native Florida. Which comes in handy. If you're every traveling, or whatever.

* Thursday vs. Memphis marked the 13th straight home victory for Dallas -- the longest streak in franchise history -- and Avery says the conduct of the home crowd was instrumental here.
"The reason why we won this game was one word: fans," Johnson said. "Thank you, fans. Our fans stayed with us the whole game. Nobody was booing or questioning the players or any foolishness like that. Our fans stuck with us for 48 minutes."
My take: I've often said that while you as a fan have every right to hoot and holler and boo, it makes more sense (as long as your team is giving effort) to be encouraging. I mean, if you work as a doctor or lawyer or widget salesman, does it increase YOUR productivity (again, as long as you're TRYING to peddle those widgets) to hear boos?

Do I get credit for being right yet?

* Next year's NBA All-Star Game is in Las Vegas. AND, the league is coming out with NBA Poker Chips. But otherwise, the NBA is completely against gambling.

* TV commentator Bryant Gumbel says he can't watch the Winter Olympics because it's "too white.'' Which is the same reason black people can't watch Bryant Gumbel.

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