If Friday night's full-blown dress rehearsal for the regular season showed anything, it's that the Mavericks can avoid distractions.

And Kobe Bryant figures to cause a commotion for weeks, if not months.

The Mavericks treated their 122-94 victory over Detroit like it was a legitimate game, with the starters playing large roles.

Against many of Detroit's primary players, the Mavericks dominated for long stretches, led by 30 after three quarters and were particularly sharp defensively. Detroit shot 33.3 percent through three quarters.

The Mavericks' regulars were better than Detroit's, and their reserves were better than Detroit's.

Eddie Jones drew the start at shooting guard, though that's not necessarily a harbinger of things to come in 12 days, when the regular season opens.

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Howard, who had a pregame visit with coach Avery Johnson regarding the two-game suspension handed down by the NBA on Friday, had 20.

"We had a talk about the suspension and everything that's been going on before the game," Johnson said. "He knows we have the ultimate confidence in him. All he has to do is go out and play. This is a great time in his life. He's 25, 26 years old and hasn't really quite hit his prime yet. He still has that next level to go to."

Johnson insisted anything regarding Bryant will not be a distraction to the Mavericks. However, they are not oblivious to the trade rumblings about the Lakers star, who has the Mavericks and Chicago at the top of his wish list.

But that's all it is – a wish. The Lakers didn't trade Shaquille O'Neal to a Western Conference rival, and most league executives believe they will ship Bryant to the East, too, assuming they deal him before the trading deadline in late February.

"It's a business and things happen," said Howard, who said it's both flattering and bothersome that his name has surfaced as a piece of any trade that the Mavericks might pull off. "I love the city and would love to finish my career here. But not too many players can finish where they started playing at. But if I have to go, I have to understand it."

VERNON BRYANT/DMN

Dirk Nowitzki drives to the basket through Detroit's Antonio McDyess on his way to two of his 25 points.

Jerry Stackhouse has been through his share of transactions. And if his 12 years in the league have taught him anything, it's that there are some things that are out of a player's control.

"Things can happen," he said. "If that's making a trade and bringing in talent, then so be it. As a guy who's played for a couple different teams, the checks still cash in all 50 states I've been in."

Owner Mark Cuban reiterated that if the Mavericks and Lakers talk, Nowitzki won't be a part of the conversation.

"I still haven't talked to [Lakers owner] Jerry Buss," Cuban said. "So until that happens, nothing can happen.

"If and when I talk to Jerry, I'll make it clear that we're not going to trade Dirk. And we're not going to dismantle our team."

Quote of the day: Stackhouse was asked if the disappointment of last season's first-round playoff exit has finally dissipated.

"I don't want to sound like Manny Ramirez," he said, "but it wasn't the end of the world."