By Marc Stein The NBA’s trade deadline is four Thursdays from today. In other words: One month away. And that calls for a few dribbles of trade chatter from various executives, coaches, scouts and league insiders as the trade buzzer draws closer: The Nets’ willingness to move point guard Devin Harris has been a popular topic since our own Chad Ford included Harris – even with visions of Harris’ 2008-09 breakout season still so fresh – on ESPN.com’s list of 25 prime trade candidates before the league’s Feb.

Not sure you can defend the inbounds play that produced Jamal Crawford’s cold-blooded game-winner from 28 feet any better than Phoenix did.

Now that the basketball season is fully in motion, we can take a look at what’s going on so that you can get your NBA tickets . You shouldn’t miss your favorite team playing down the stretch. Of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers are dominating everyone this year.

By Marc Stein On top of all the questions about Blake Griffin’s future that will be raised by Wednesday’s announcement that last June’s No. 1 overall pick must undergo season-ending knee surgery, there is another Griffin-related matter confronting the Clippers as the Feb.

The Dallas Mavericks are unsure if Josh Howard or Tim Thomas will play vs. the L.A.

BEN TORRES / Special to DMNDeron Williams had 20 points and nine assists in his return to the lineup, Carlos Boozer added 15 points, and the Utah Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks 111-93 on Saturday night.Sefko:

The Mavericks will see what they’re made of Friday and Saturday when they play at San Antonio and host Utah, Eddie Sefko writes in this week’s Inside the Dallas Mavericks newsletter.

Wayne Winston is a professor at Indiana University and for nine years was Mark Cuban’s stat guru for the Dallas Mavericks. Winston’s book “Mathletics” explains much of his work — complete with formulas and spreadsheets

VERNON BRYANT / DMNClearly intent on erasing the memory of an early-season loss to the Dallas Mavericks on their home floor, the Los Angeles Lakers plowed rolled to a 131-96 statement-making victory at Staples Center.

Slowly but surely, Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard is regaining his form, to the point where he’s found himself pleasantly surprised with the progress his surgically repaired left ankle has made.