DALLAS - Mark Cuban wants Mavericks fans in the seats for the early start of their home opener in the playoffs.

The team distributed an email Tuesday with what resembled a doctor's note from the outspoken Dallas team owner, under the heading "Mark Cuban, MC."

With Game 3 against Houston in a first-round series set for 6 p.m. local time Friday, the note includes a blank line for a name, lists the date and indicates the person has been under Cuban's supervision for "severe Mavs fever."

Cuban's initials are on the signature line.

The bottom of the note includes a disclaimer that Cuban isn't a medical doctor but adds that the billionaire businessman is "an expert negotiator and will vouch for your excused absence."