West preview? Mavs beat rival Spurs
(AP)Updated: 2006-11-25 13:46 The Spurs' poor shooting from the 3-point range combined with a strong fast break performance by the Mavs helped seal the night for Dallas.
The Spurs were 3-of-12 (25 percent) on 3-pointers, while the Mavs were 7-of-16 (44 percent). San Antonio's Brent Barry was 1-of-4 behind the arc after entering the game 24-of-39.
Dallas had 20 fast-break points to two from the Spurs.
"We were scared in terms of their fast break," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "Tony Parker and Ginobili, they are one-man fast breaks. Once they get the ball they can go coast to coast."
Nowitzki scored 10 points in the first quarter, helping the Mavs take a 37-23 lead. He was only 1-of-5 in the second but combined with Terry for 22 points and seven assists in the half.
Dallas had a 9-0 advantage in fast-break points and was 6-of-11 from behind the arc to take a 59-50 halftime lead. Duncan led the Spurs with 13 points.
"It's a bad habit," Parker said of the Spurs' pattern of playing from behind. "You can't do that, especially against Dallas. We have to find a way to have a better start."
The Spurs cut the deficit to three points 1:28 into the third with a reverse dunk from Oberto, a fast-break bucket from Parker and a layup from Duncan. But Dallas eventually pushed the lead back to nine and was ahead 74-73 at the end of the period after officials ruled a last-second shot by Oberto didn't beat the buzzer.
The Spurs never led in the fourth.
Johnson got a technical in the third for arguing with an official. Fans in the arena yelled it was "about time" since Johnson had been involved in a vigorous back-and-forth with an official during the first half.
Notes:@ Howard had missed eight games after spraining his left ankle Nov. 6. He played 16 minutes Friday. ... The Mavs' Devean George — strained right knee — and DJ Mbenga — strained tendon — didn't play. ... All three of the Spurs' losses this season have come at home. ... The Mavs started the season 0-4.
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