So much for Dirk's "slump''

Before the game, coach Rick Carlisle said he wasn't yet ready to buy into Dirk Nowitzki being in a slump just because he'd scored 14 points or fewer in four consecutive games.

"I'm reluctant to get too much into this Dirk slump (thing),'' he said. "I'm not there yet.''

Nor will he ever be now that Dirk has started the game with 11 points in the first six minutes to stake the Mavericks to a 16-12 lead in the early going.

--Eddie Sefko