DALLAS -- The stats don't say so, but the Dallas Mavericks believe Derek Fisher had a significant impact in Saturday's 92-77 win over the Detroit Pistons.
In his first game with the Mavs on Saturday, Fisher started and played 24 minutes, scored two points (on a goaltending call), grabbed two rebounds, handed out three assists and turned the ball over three times.
"He ended up a significant plus in the game,'' coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's going to take some time for him to get his legs -- I've been saying that all along.
"I liked when he and (Darren) Collison were together. I thought that was a pretty productive lineup.''
Carlisle doesn't like to gauge Fisher's contributions by simply glaring at the stat sheet.
"He enhances our situation in a lot of different ways,'' Carlisle said. "He gives us more options, and his experience, you can't substitute what that means.''
That's preciely what Elton Brand said after the Mavs (8-9) snapped their three-game losing streak.
"Derek Fisher solidifies the unit, he keeps us tight and he's a proven veteran,'' said Brand, who tied his season highs in points (17) and rebounds (12). "There's not a shot he hasn't seen, not a defense he hasn't seen.
"He's very heady and very smart out there.''
-- Dwain Price
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