Dallas Mavericks Take Game to Next Level

In the first meeting between the Dallas Mavericks and reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, Dallas took home the victory yesterday.

Facing San Antonio on November 16 before a home crowd, Josh Howard (23 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (17 points, 8 rebounds) to lead their team to a 105-92 win.

Dallas’s win follows a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, boosting its record to six wins and two losses. San Antonio’s 4-game winning streak came to an end to round out its record at seven wins and two losses.

The win was in the cards early in the game for the Mavericks.

Nowitzki’s presence in the post and Howard’s aggressive offense built a 33-18 lead in the first quarter, and stingy team defense frustrated San Antonio as Dallas ended the first half in the lead at 59-40.

A San Antonio surge led by Manu Ginobili (25 points, 9 rebounds) and Tim Duncan (24 points) hinted at a Spurs’ comeback, but an off day for their supporting cast foiled the Spurs’ chances. Tony Parker was held to just seven points.

20,468 people were in attendance and the game was Dallas’s 238th sold-out regular-season game, and 276th counting the playoffs.

In other action, the Phoenix Suns were led by 25 points from Leandro Barbosa and Steve Nash’s double-double in their win over Ben Gordon and the Chicago Bulls yesterday. Phoenix is on a 4-game winning streak, while Chicago is on a 2-game skid.

Barbosa was 5-7 on 3-point baskets to lead Phoenix’s perimeter offense.

Following his 21-point performance against the New York Knicks, Grant Hill, Phoenix’s latest off-season acquisition, scored 24 points for his second consecutive 20-point game.

kjs0123@donga.com