Mavericks set the alarm clock

The early start time hasn't slowed down the Mavericks, who have blown out to an 18-8 lead midway through the first quarter.

Jason Kidd has done a smart job on LeBron James so far, but you get the feeling James is just getting his legs under him. The test will come in the rest of the first quarter, when James is bound to assert himself.

So far, the Cavs are 3-for-14 from the field and the Mavericks are 7-for-11. It's a good sign that Erick Dampier is blistering Zydrunas Ilgauskas so far. This is a battle Dampier can and should win.

--Eddie Sefko