Spurs Beat Mavs In Nowitzki's Return From Surgery

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Danny Green scored a career-high 25 points and the San Antonio Spurs spoiled former league MVP Dirk Nowitzki's season debut with a 129-91 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

Tony Parker had 18 points, Kawhi Leonard added 17, Tim Duncan 15 and Stephen Jackson 14 for the Spurs (21-8).

After missing the Mavericks' first 27 regular-season games, Nowitzki entered with 6:28 left in the first quarter to a hearty mix of cheers and boos. Nowitzki, who underwent surgery on his right knee Oct. 19 after battling soreness the previous season, quickly picked up a rebound for Dallas and finished with eight points — going 3 for 4 from the field — and six rebounds in 20 minutes.

Darren Collison scored 15 points to lead Dallas (12-16), which lost its third straight.

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