Mavs' Nowitzki still experiencing knee swelling

DALLAS (AP) - German forward Dirk Nowitzki says he hopes to avoid surgery after experiencing more swelling in his right knee.

Nowitzki missed his second straight pre-season game as Dallas beat Houston 123-104 on Monday and has had the right knee drained twice over the past month.

The 2011 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player said after the game he did not have as much swelling after practising on Friday and Saturday. Nowitzki says he is going to reduce his workload this week, sticking to work in the pool and on the elliptical machine in hopes of returning to the court within the next week.

If the swelling does subside by next week, Nowitzki says there may be no other choice besides surgery, which could sideline the perennial All-Star into the start of the regular season.