Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said in his pre-game visit with the media that, indeed, forward Josh Howard will be active for tonight's game and will play. He wouldn't say if he'd start or not. "The most important thing about this is he's gone through one process of having two surgeries in one day and basically a six-month rehab and now this starts another process of just getting back into being on the floor," Carlisle said. "I think it's important to understand what he's been through and make sure expectations are somewhat tempered, but this is obviously a day we've been looking forward to for a while. We'll see how it goes, but we're excited that he's available." Forwards Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas and Shawne Williams are inactive tonight for the Mavericks. For Toronto, it looks like guard/forward Sonny Weems of Arkansas, forward Reggie Evans and guard Quincy Douby won't play.