For the first time in eight seasons, the Mavericks are coming off a losing month.

They finished March with a 7-8 record, the first time since March 2000, when they were 7-9, that they had a sub-.500 month. They were 8-8 in March 2004.

While the woes of March were disappointing, the Mavericks have been reminded during the stretch drive to the playoffs that all those early-season losses to weak Eastern Conference teams are coming back to haunt them.

Any thought of pacing themselves or working a slow build toward the playoffs clearly backfired, owner Mark Cuban said before Wednesday's game against Golden State.

"That was the hugest mistake we ever made," Cuban said. "And one we won't make again. Who knew then that it would be the tightest race ever?"

The Mavericks will spend the last two weeks of the regular season battling the Warriors and Denver Nuggets for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks finished 18-12 against the East, which will be the worst record among the nine teams battling for playoff spots in the West. Denver was 19-11; Golden State was 20-10.

Cuban said he's still optimistic about the Mavericks – for this season and the future.

"I'll reference the '95 Rockets," he said. "After they got [Clyde] Drexler, they struggled. But I hope it's the same outcome for us."

The Rockets, of course, won the title as a No. 6 seed.

Stackhouse on the shelf: The Mavericks will be without shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse for at least a week after an MRI revealed a strain in his right groin.

Stackhouse suffered the injury Thursday at Denver. He missed his third consecutive game Wednesday.

"It could take up to 10 days, who knows?" Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "It's a tough break for us because we thought he was playing some of his best basketball."

The injury comes after the Mavericks tried to limit Stackhouse's minutes as much as possible early in the season. The hope is that Stackhouse might return for the last game or two of the regular season and be able to play in the playoffs, should the Mavericks make the postseason.

Hall of Fame beckons: This weekend's announcement of the 2008 basketball Hall of Fame inductees could be big for Golden State.

Both coach Don Nelson and head of basketball operations Chris Mullin are up for entry. Nelson, who has been on the ballot for several years, said he's to the point that he doesn't think about it anymore.

"I hope Mullie makes it in," Nelson said. "I don't really care that much anymore whether I make it or not. It'll be what it is."

If it makes any difference, Nelson has a couple of supporters with the Mavericks. The fact Johnson said Nelson should be in the Hall is no surprise, but owner Mark Cuban endorsed Nelson, as well.

"I don't have a problem with it," said Cuban. "I think he's as good a coach as Lenny Wilkens."