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 ¡ª strained right knee ¡ª and DJ Mbenga ¡ª strained tendon ¡ª didn't play. ... All three of the Spurs' losses this season have come at home. ... The Mavs started the season 0-4.

1

2