Jason Terry (above) got the start and chipped in 22 points as Dallas got out to an early lead, lost that, and then finished strong to preserve the double-digit win. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)In front of a half-full arena, thanks to game one of the World Series featuring the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Mavericks (1-0) came out like a team possessed. Dallas scored 18 unanswered points to start the game against the Charlotte Bobcats (0-1), building a 23-6 lead in the first quarter and holding Charlotte scoreless until the 6:47 mark.
“The [first quarter] start was terrific,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “Our third quarter start was terrific. We ended the half really well. We went through a tough stretch late first, early second. But those things happen.”
Defensive intensity played a large role for the Mavs as they suffocated the Bobcats on the defensive end for the majority of the night. While the Bobcats did make a run after the Mavs early lead, outscoring Dallas 25-4 to take a 31-27 lead in the second quarter, Dallas bounced back with a strong end to the half to go into the locker room leading by four. The strong effort on both ends of the floor culminated with a resounding block from newcomer Tyson Chandler on the Bobcats final possession of the half.
“I've got to bring [aggressive play] night in and night out because this team is going to need it," Chandler said. "We have everything else: scorers, guys who finish, so I have to bring defensive intensity and let my team feed off of it.”
Chandler got the start over Brendan Haywood at center and did not disappoint in his first game as a Maverick. Both players and coaches raved about Chandler’s performance (eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 23 minutes) after the game.
“I love him. He really has an infectious spirit as a person and as a basketball player,” Carlisle said. “He really brings some toughness to our team, particularly our starters because he brings a dynamic athleticism that we haven’t had here at that position.”
"We were really scrambling out there," Dirk Nowitzki said.”Our center combo will be great all year. Tyson's all over the place."
Dallas held Charlotte to under 40 percent shooting (39.7) on the night for 86 points and forced 20 turnovers.
“The great thing I like about it, defensively we were all over the court,” Chandler said. “We were communicating and we allowed our defense to turn into offense and we got a lot of fast break points. That’s what we have to do night-in, night-out.”
Offensively, it was the three-headed monster of Nowitzki (28 points), Jason Kidd (18 assists), and Jason Terry (22 points) that propelled the Mavericks to a great start, and a great finish. Kidd and Terry each had five points and four assists during the Mavs first quarter spurt, and Nowitzki scored 14 points in the third quarter when Dallas regained its double digit lead.
The Mavericks lead by as much as 18 points (76-58) in the third, and finished the quarter with an 80-67 cushion. Nowitzki had a double-double (24 points and 10 rebounds) with 3:49 left in the third quarter, and finished the game with 28 points and 13 rebounds while missing only two shots (11 of 13) from the field.
“He’s a great player," Carlisle said. "It’s the kind of night he’s capable of having on a pretty regular occasion, as we’ve seen.”
Kidd finished with season-opening career-high 18 assists to go along with 12 points, and Terry had 22 points, six assists and four steals in his first start since Feb. 9, 2010. Terry was 10-15 from the floor (2 of 4 from three-point range) and showed quick hands on the defensive end.
"Well, that's his game: make plays," Bobcats guard Steven Jackson said of Kidd. "He just got it to the guys and they made shots, especially at the beginning of the game. But, that's what he does. Finds players and is one of the best players in the league at finding guys and getting them shots."
“We know he’s a great shooter,” Carlisle said of Terry.
Tyrus Thomas scored 22 points (11 in the fourth quarter) off the bench to lead the Bobcats.
After being outscored 31-22 in the third by Dallas, Charlotte would get no closer than eight the rest of the way as Dallas cruised to an opening night win. For one night at least, the Mavericks gave Dallas-area fans something to cheer about while the Rangers were getting annihilated by Giants.
“More than anything, I thought our guys got our crowd into the game early,” Carlisle said. “In the past, sometimes we waited for them to get us into the game and that isn’t going to happen this year. We’re going to be the ones to make that happen.”
The Mavericks next game is at home Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Mavs-Bobcats Box Score
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