When they woke up Saturday, the Mavericks were tied with four other teams for fewest losses in the Western Conference at 12.

In addition to meaning San Antonio was stuck in the No. 5 slot by virtue of having played the fewest games of the fivesome, the logjam also meant something else.

Over the next two weeks, the teams will determine who will be head coach of the Western All-Star team.

The team with the best record after games of Feb. 3 will send its coaches to New Orleans for the festivities Feb. 15-17. Being a New Orleans native, Avery Johnson would be a terrific fit to coach the West. But his team has to cooperate.

"That would be an honor," Johnson said. "But the only thing it would really signify is that our team is playing some pretty good basketball."

Boston's Doc Rivers is virtually assured of being the Eastern Conference coach.

Johnson said he expects the Western Conference to go down to the wire, not just for the All-Star coach, but for everything.

"Everybody's right there," he said. "This year, the fourth and fifth seed could end up with the same record. I think it's great for our league."

Today is the last day for online voting by fans, who will select the starters in the game. Coaches then will select the seven reserves.

Seattle on wheels? Saturday night might have been the next-to-last time the Seattle SuperSonics play at American Airlines Center. They have a visit left in April, but after that, they could morph into the Oklahoma City Sonics.

The league is weighing options on if, and where, the Sonics will relocate because of arena issues in Seattle.

"The big question is: Does Seattle want them?" Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "And if not, then where do they go? I'd love to see them stay in Seattle. It's a great city with great fans."

Speculation has centered on Oklahoma as the likely destination. The Ford Center was a good home for the New Orleans Hornets when they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"I don't know if going to Oklahoma City is the right move," Cuban said. "As far as my vote, all options are open."

No timetable has been set for a vote by the board of governors on a possible move.

A lot of shots: Last week, the LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant hoisted 44 shots in a 123-121 overtime win over the Sonics.

Johnson was asked if he could fathom 44 shots in a game.

"Ooh, four games, man," he said. "That's a lot of shots. But if you're that type of player ... and obviously your teammates really want you to shoot it more than they want to shoot it in those situations. But that was a strong game for Seattle. Had a couple things gone their way, they would have won that game."

Briefly: Ray Johnston was a member of the Mavericks' summer league team three years ago before being diagnosed with leukemia. Johnston has made a full recovery, and he and his family will be on the game show Family Feud on Feb. 1. ... Eddie Jones (left groin muscle) was cleared to play without restrictions Saturday night. Jerry Stackhouse (right hamstring) also was not limited against the Sonics.