"Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor has often said he doesn't buy into the idea Utah is rebuilding, going so far as to state his distaste for the "R" word.

Jazz guard Raja Bell joined his GM's side Friday night. Not in body, but in spirit.

After Utah watched a two-point deficit late in the third quarter swell to a 116-101 beatdown by the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, the 12-year veteran said the Jazz clearly have enough talent to win games. Utah proved that by starting a lockout-shortened campaign 9-4, winning eight of nine to become the early-season surprise in the NBA.

But while the Jazz have continued to show fight during recent contests, Utah has also failed to finish games and at times has reverted to its early-season problems, highlighted by a stagnant offense and a porous defense.

Veterans such as Bell, C.J. Miles and Earl Watson said the message is clear. If the Jazz want to return to the playoffs and create a buffer for a grueling 34-game stretch during February and March that will see them play 21 contests on the road, Utah has to find a way to fill its holes. And after watching the Jazz (10-7) drop three of four, Bell knows his team doesn't have any time to lose.

"Look, if you can win games, you can win games, whether they're close or not close. I don't make any excuses for us down the stretch," he said. "We have to be able to win games like this if we want to be a good team.""