SALT LAKE CITY – A little help is on the way for the Dallas Mavericks' puny 3-point shooting.

Barring an 11th-hour snag, Tyronn Lue will join the Mavericks today after clearing waivers, giving them a veteran backup point guard with NBA Finals experience.

"He's a nice addition, and we look forward to having him at practice and playing in his first game," coach Avery Johnson said. "We've been needing that [shooting]."

Lue, 6-foot and 175 pounds, is in his 10th season out of Nebraska. He was averaging 17.1 minutes, 6.8 points and 1.8 assists in 33 games before being traded from Atlanta to Sacramento as part of the Mike Bibby deal. Lue never played for the Kings, who waived him Friday.

Lue is hitting 43.5 percent of his 3-point attempts this season and should come in handy for a team that was shooting just 34.4 percent from 3-point land. Last season, the Mavericks hit 38.1 percent from outside the arc.

"He knows how to play the point-guard position and can make shots," Jason Terry said. "And he's had Finals experience, which is important. He's dependable. You can count on him and know he's going to come in and he's not going to turn the ball over."

Lue originally was set to sign with Denver after he cleared waivers, but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Johnson spoke with him about what his role would be with the Mavericks. Their sales pitch obviously worked.

Magloire makes debut: Center Jamaal Magloire, who was signed last week after being waived by New Jersey, made his Mavericks debut Monday night against the Jazz.

The 6-11 center came into the game with 4:07 left in the first quarter and he will get a chance to earn the backup center position that has been up for grabs since DeSagana Diop was traded.

"I got to find a backup center, even if it's just for 10 minutes a night," Johnson said. "We'll get Magloire some minutes and see how he does. We're going to have to find somebody who can give Damp a little more of a breather."

Erick Dampier fouled out against the Lakers on Sunday after racking up 17 rebounds and 16 points. He was less effective Monday night against Utah.

On the mend: Eddie Jones remained in Dallas for this quick, two-game trip to continue rehabilitating from tendinitis in his left knee.

"Hopefully he'll be ready to go for our next practice," Johnson said. "We'll just try to keep moving him forward."

Johnson said the 6-6 Jones should still have a role on the team down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Jones said before the trip that he was on board with getting his knee 100 percent for the last part of the season and the postseason.

On the mend II: Terry figured he was going to have a sore shoulder Monday, and he wasn't disappointed.

Terry had fallen on the shoulder in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in LA. He got to Monday night's game with restricted range of motion and soreness.

Nevertheless, he played.

"It's sore, but right now, we're in the thick of things, and nothing's going to keep me out of this one," he said before the game. "If you make that first shot, it'll heal quick."

Briefly: Former Clippers guard Sam Cassell, in whom the Mavericks had been interested, is expected to sign with Boston today. ... In Sunday's game at Los Angeles, the Lakers and Mavericks were tied at 79. From then on, Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 of the Mavericks' last 25 points. Kobe Bryant had 22 of the Lakers' last 29.