SAN ANTONIO -- Dirk Nowitzki played his first game of the season Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. But it didn't matter.
The Spurs converted a franchise record 20 three-pointers and picked up a seaosn-high 17 steals and went on to rout the Mavs, 129-91, at the AT&T Center. It was the Mavs' worst beating of the season.
In his first game since undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery on Oct. 19, Nowitzki played 20 minutes, scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds and collected one steal.
"I tried to give it a go,'' said Nowitzki, who was 3-of-4 from the field. "I knew my minutes were going to be limited, but I just gave it a go.''
Darren Collison led the Mavs with 15 points, Vince Carter scored 13 and Chris Kaman had 10.
The Spurs got 25 points from Danny Green, 18 points and six assists form Tony Parker, and 17 points from Kawhi Leonard.
At one point in the second half, the Spurs led by 46 points. Overall, it was the sixth time the Mavs have lost by 20 or more points this season.
The Mavs are 12-16 and won't play until until Thursday in Oklahoma City.
-- Dwain Price
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