Mavericks coast past flat Spurs, 105-92

DALLAS (AP) — Josh Howard sparked first-half spurts of 17-1 and 11-0, letting the Dallas Mavericks build a huge lead that they turned into an easy 105-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

The first of four meetings this season between the Western Conference powers lacked the sizzle likely to be found in future matchups. If anything, this will give the Spurs more incentive next time around, on Dec. 5 in San Antonio.

The Mavericks came out aggressive on both ends and the Spurs — who’d won four straight and were a West-best 7-1 — were slow to respond.

Dirk Nowitzki hit three straight baskets to start Dallas’ first run and Howard helped finish it off with the Mavericks ahead by 14. San Antonio got back within eight points, then Howard started the second burst and the Mavs led by at least 10 the rest of the game.

The Spurs wound up allowing 33 points in the first quarter and 59 in the first half, their worst in any quarter and any half this season. It was so bad they didn’t even match Dallas’ first-quarter point total until there was 3:39 left in the second quarter.

Howard finished with 23 points and Nowitzki had 17, only three coming in the second half. Jason Terry had 18 points, and Devin Harris scored 14 of his 18 in the fourth quarter. Jerry Stackhouse added 10 points.