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Mavs make New Orleans trip look easy, 106-91
02:15 AM CST on Thursday, November 4, 2004
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
NEW ORLEANS – Don Nelson pulled old friend Allen Bristow aside at New Orleans Arena on Wednesday night, and Bristow had only one thing to say.

"Way to dismantle us," the Hornets general manager said.

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Mavs 106, New Orleans 91

Mavs make New Orleans trip look easy

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Nelson could only flash a sheepish grin. On a night when the Hornets trotted out every predictable wild, wild west prop, including a horse prancing on the court, they had no chance of staying with the Mavericks' herd of studs. And it was a large herd.

With Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry leading a strong bench brigade, the Mavericks gave New Orleans a 106-91 hazing as their welcome to the Western Conference.

"All I can say is, 'Get used to it,' " said Terry, who had 18 points, five assists and half of the Mavericks' eight steals. "We're going to spread it around."

Starting the season with back-to-back games, Nelson didn't want to overuse his starters. While Michael Finley had 19 points, he only had to play 25 minutes, thanks to Stackhouse, who celebrated his 30th birthday two days early by matching Finley's point total.

"The depth of our team really showed," Nelson said. "That's the way good teams do it."

It's way too early to know how good the Mavericks will be, but they are 2-0. Dirk Nowitzki threw in 33 points in the opener, and while he had 19 on Wednesday, he was just as effective with five assists for the second game in a row.