Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki: Late scratch Sunday with illness

Nowitzki (illness) was a late scratch prior to Sunday's game against the Rockets, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.

Nowitzki, who missed Friday's game against the Rockets with the illness, took part in the Mavericks' morning shootaround Sunday and was widely expected to play in the rematch with Houston. However, after Nowitzki was evaluated during warmups it seems as though the Mavs had second thoughts on keeping the big man active, so he'll miss a second straight contest. Coach Rick Carlisle noted about an hour before the contest that Nowitzki was also dealing with some minor Achilles soreness, but the illness is believed to be the more pressing matter. Seth Curry is expected to replace Nowitzki in the starting five as the Mavericks go with a small-ball arrangement to counter the Rockets' run-and-gun attack. The Mavs' next game is set for Wednesday against Jazz, which will grant Nowitzki a few more days of recovery time.