Samuel Dalembert played just seven minutes against the Warriors on Tuesday with two points and three boards. He was coming in with some serious momentum, but coach Rick Carlisle went with a smaller lineup tonight. This isn't the first time Dalembert moved back into a secondary role and it probably won't be his last. The big man played at least 20 minutes in the three previous games vs. the Warriors, but the Warriors not having Andrew Bogut might have been a factor. His owners shouldn't totally panic and the Mavs should use him more on Thursday vs. the Clippers.

Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said that Samuel Dalembert will "absolutely" be with the team in the final year of his contract next season. "Absolutely we'll have Sam back. Great guy," said Nelson. "If we can get him to show up on time to practice, that'll be a step in the right direction." The good-natured joke has some truth to it since Dalembert's drive and consistency aren't exemplary, but he's stepped up his game with averages of 9.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 2.7 blocks in the Mavs' past six games. He's worth deploying in fantasy leagues until he cools off.

The Mavericks are determined to keep Samuel Dalembert (back) in the fold for the 2014-15 season, according to president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. Dalembert is signed to a contract with the Mavericks next season, but the Mavericks could theoretically sever ties after the 2013-14 season as only part of his contract is guaranteed. Nelson poured water on that possibility, however. "Absolutely we'll have Sam back," Nelson said. "When he brings his A game, we're a different team." Dalembert is averaging 9.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game over his last five so fantasy owners in dire need of boards and blocks down the homestretch should be looking his way.

Samuel Dalembert shot 7-of-8 from the field for 15 points with six boards, two steals and three blocks in 24 minutes vs. the Kings on Saturday. He's been in and out of coach Rick Carlisle's doghouse, but the coach has given him plenty of leash now. Over his last five, Dalembert averaged 9.4 points, 9.8 boards and 2.6 blocks on 66.7 percent from the field. He's worth owning in standard leagues right now thanks to high block totals.

Samuel Dalembert (back) played 22 minutes vs. the Clippers on Thursday with six points, 11 boards, one assist and one block. He was a game-time call for tonight's game with a stiff back. Dalembert does have a history of back issues with injuries in every calendar year from 2010-14. He's been playing well, but there is some considerable risk for his prospective owners.

Samuel Dalembert (stiff back) told coach Rick Carlisle that he's ready to play vs. the Clippers on Thursday. Carlisle said that Sammy is expected to play and the Mavs can certainly use him to help keep DeAndre Jordan out of the paint. If he is ultimately ruled out, Brandan Wright, DeJuan Blair and possibly Bernard James would hold down the center position.

Samuel Dalembert (stiff back) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Clippers. Dalembert has been on a mini-tear lately in averaging 7.8 points, 10.6 boards, and 2.8 blocks per game over his last five games (and that includes a seven block game against Brooklyn on Sunday). He's only averaging 23.4 minutes per game over that span, but he can do some damage in limited time so he's worth a start if he ends up suiting up Thursday. We'll update his status as soon as information becomes available, but Brandan Wright would likely be in line for a spot start if Dalembert can't play.

Samuel Dalembert played 21 minutes during Tuesday's 128-119 win over the Thunder with 10 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. He's been a hot name after flirting with a triple-double on Sunday with a 12-point, 15-board, seven-block game on Sunday. Dalembert has been a situational guy for coach Rick Carlisle hasn't been too harsh on his minutes lately. He's worth owning in standard leagues thanks to his upside in blocks.

Samuel Dalembert was in vintage form on Sunday, blocking a season-high seven shots with 12 points and 15 rebounds as the Mavericks fell in overtime to the visiting Nets. Sammy hadn't blocked more than three shots in a game all season before this eruption, which was even more unexpected since the Nets have only been blocked an average of 4.1 times per game this season. This is the epitome of a fluky game, reminiscent of his absurd 35-point performance last season, and Sammy remains nothing but a low-end blocks and boards specialist.

Samuel Dalembert was running with the starters at Friday morning's shootaround. Dalembert was benched for the entire second half on Wednesday night, finishing with zero points and one rebound in 10 minutes. It looks like a temporary demotion. Coach Rick Carlisle wouldn't confirm, but we'd bet on Dalembert starting against the Blazers Friday before giving way to Brandan Wright and Bernard James. The floor on all three of these guys is extremely low.