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Roddy B shoots, but status unclear

DALLAS -- Rodrigue Beaubois was doing a lot of shooting at the end of Sunday's light workout, but it's uncertain when the second-year guard will be cleared to play.

It might not matter after Beaubois was replaced in the starting lineup by DeShawn Stevenson in the regular-season finale, a move that was made for the playoffs even before Beaubois sprained his left foot in the final game last Wednesday. Still, the Mavs believe Beaubois can contribute in the postseaon in a less pressurized role coming off the bench.

In other injury news, Caron Butler is increasing his workload on the court. On Saturday he was shooting 3-pointers and working on his jab step with coaching consultant Tim Grgurich. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said before the playoffs that it was extremely doubtful that Butler would return in the first round. Butler is not participating in practice or taking part in any type of contact drills.

Butler has consistently maintained that he will return during the playoffs, perhaps in time for the start of a potential second-round series. Butler ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee on Jan. 1 and underwent surgery a few days later. Recovery time was set at four to six months.