Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 29 points, as
the Mavericks cruised past Toronto, 129-101, at American Airlines Center.
Nowitzki also grabbed nine rebounds and doled out four assists, while Jason
Terry and Shawn Marion scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, for the Mavs,
who have won four of five.
Josh Howard chipped in 16 points in his first game of the season, and James
Singleton logged 10 off the bench for the victors.
"It felt pretty good, you know getting back in the swing of things," Howard
said. "I had a good time out there."
Chris Bosh posted his usual double-double, going for 26 points and 12 rebounds
for the Raptors, who have split their first six games of the season. Andrea
Bargnani posted 22 points, while Jose Calderon ended with 13 and seven assists
in defeat.
"I think everybody could of put out more effort," Toronto guard Jarrett Jack
said. "I don't know if it was fatigue, it was our first back-to-back ball
game. That could have been part of it."
Dallas was up 60-52 before a 10-0 run broke the game open early in the third
quarter. Nowitzki started the spurt with a three-ball and Marion capped it
with a dunk.
It was 85-70 heading to the fourth, and a pair of Terry makes from long range
around a Quinton Ross bucket pushed the margin to 100-78 four minutes in.
The outcome was never in doubt the rest of the way.
Dallas held a slim 26-25 lead after 12 minutes and stayed in front at
halftime, 55-48.
Game Notes
Dallas has won 10 consecutive home games over the Raptors...Dallas shot 62.4
percent from the floor, compared to 43.9 percent for Toronto..Howard returned
to action after missing the preseason and the first five games of the regular
season while recovering from left ankle surgery.
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