Mavericks Remain Unbeaten

Trailing at halftime for the first time this season, the Dallas Mavericks regrouped quickly.

Fired up by pep talks from Avery Johnson and Michael Finley, the Mavericks rallied to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 82-73, Monday night at Dallas to remain the league’s only unbeaten team.

Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points, a season-high 17 rebounds and six steals, and Dallas improved to 7-0, extending the best start in franchise history. The Mavericks turned a 13-point, second-quarter deficit into a 12-point lead by the end of the third.

“We showed a lot,” said Finley, who had 21 points and eight rebounds. “We don’t have to score in the 100s to win. We can play this style and win. We definitely took a huge step forward.”

Portland missed 13 consecutive shots over the second and third quarters.

“It’s not going to be a blowout every night,” Nowitzki said. “These are the types of games when we have to stick together as a team.”

San Antonio 91, Minnesota 75 -- Tim Duncan scored 20 points and Steve Kerr made five three-point baskets to lead the Spurs at San Antonio.

The Spurs never trailed, sprinting to a 23-point lead in the second quarter. The Timberwolves made a few charges in the second half, but the Spurs kept their advantage in double digits.

Kerr finished with 17 points in 23 minutes, and David Robinson had 13 points and 19 rebounds for his fifth double-double in seven games.

Boston 112, Utah 95 -- Paul Pierce scored 35 points and the Celtics used the three-point shot to overcome a halftime deficit at Boston.

The Jazz gave Boston plenty of help, committing 29 turnovers.

It was the fifth consecutive victory for the Celtics after starting the season with two losses. Utah lost for the fifth time in six games and dropped its fourth in a row on the road.

Boston made only one of 12 shots from three-point range and trailed at halftime, 45-41. But the Celtics made five three-pointers in the third quarter and four in the fourth.

Pierce scored 27 points in the second half. Antoine Walker finished with 27 points.

Karl Malone scored 20 points for the Jazz, and Matt Harpring and Scott Padgett each had 15.

Golden State 108, Memphis 101 -- Antawn Jamison had 37 points and 11 rebounds to spark the Warriors at Memphis, Tenn.

Erick Dampier had 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Warriors, and Troy Murphy had 18 points.

Pau Gasol had 24 points for the Grizzlies (0-8).

After struggling most of the game, particularly on defense, Memphis began to put on some pressure late in the fourth quarter.

Trailing, 100-84, with 3:08 to play, Lorenzen Wright made a short jumper to begin a 10-point run. The Grizzlies cut it to 104-101 on Jason Williams’ layup with 21 seconds left.