DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks used sharp ball movement and inside control to take a 1-0 series lead with a 119-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Dallas finished with 33 assists — its eighth 30-assist game this season — and dominated the paint 66-44 while also winning fast-break and bench scoring. The Mavericks are now 8-2 in their last 10 matchups with Brooklyn.
Anthony Davis led the way with 24 points, 14 rebounds and a rare all-around line that included three steals and three blocks, continuing his place among the league’s elite two-way bigs.
Rookie Cooper Flagg added 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists, posting his third career 20-5-5 game and further cementing one of the best starts by a Mavericks rookie.
Naji Marshall scored 17 points for his fourth straight game with at least 15, and Max Christie chipped in 15 while hitting four 3-pointers.
Brooklyn stayed close behind a season-high 43.6% shooting from deep and 34 points from Michael Porter Jr., but Dallas’ balance and interior presence sealed the opener.
