The Dallas Mavericks retooled their team in the off-season, adding a range of veterans and skilled players to compliment star Dirk Nowitzki to possibly make another title run.
Those plans took a hit on Oct. 19 when Nowitzki underwent knee surgery, but so far the Mavericks haven't shown signs of missing him, winning two of three games to open the year. The former MVP is expected to miss up to 10 games while rehabbing.
Dallas easily dispatched the Charlotte Bobcats on 126-99 Saturday night, scoring the most points in a game for the team since March 2011.
"You make 16 3s, you're not going to lose many games, and it was a bit of a deodorant for some of our other transgressions," said coach Rick Carlisle to the Associated Press. "We look to make strides, mild as they may be, and get better."
According to the report, Carslile "became the third coach to win 200 games with the Mavericks, joining Don Nelson and Dick Motta."
In Nowitzki's absence, Dallas has scored 106 points per game, good for fourth in the league and has been efficient passing the ball, averaging 24 assists per game, ranked fifth in the NBA.
The team has benefited from the play of new additions O.J. Mayo and center Chris Kaman. Mayo has averaged 18 points and scored 30 in the win against Charlotte. Kaman made his season debut in that game, scoring 16 points while making his first eight shots.
"I missed the last four preseason games and the first two (regular-season games), so I'm kind of like a new player out there," Kaman said. "I'm just trying to fit in where I can and do what I can do."
The Portland Trail Blazers are also right where they want to be.
The team has a 2-1 record and is coming off of a 95-85-overtime win against the improved Houston Rockets.
The team is ranked ninth in points per game with 101 and has benefited from the play of rookie Damian Lillard, who scored 20 points in the win over Houston, has been a welcome surprise for the Trail Blazers.
The rookie from Weber State was the sixth overall pick in the draft and became the second player since Oscar Robertson to start his career with three straight games of 20 points and seven assists, according to the Associated Press.
LaMarcus Aldrige has been exceptional for Portland so far, averaging 22.7 points, 9.7 boards and 3.0 assists. Aldrige was an All-Star caliber player last season and is averaging career highs in points and rebounds.
According to the Associated Press, "the teams have split the last six meetings, with the Mavericks winning two of the last three games in Dallas."
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