Dereck Lively II did a terrific Tyson Chandler impersonation

That strategic move to trade for rookie center Dereck Lively II in June has already paid dividends for the Mavericks.

In the Mavs’ season-opening 126-119 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Lively did his best Tyson Chandler impersonation as he finished with 16 points, 10 rebound, one block and one steal. And that sterling performance came off the bench and was precisely what the Mavs needed.

In all, Lively became just the second player in NBA history — according to NBA.com — to score at least 15 points and grab at least 10 rebounds while shooting at least 85 percent from the field in his inaugural game.

Coach Jason Kidd worked Lively during training camp with both the first and second units. That way, depending on the situation, Lively would already be accustomed to playing with whichever unit he was with on the floor.

Against the Spurs, Lively didn’t start the game, but he did start the second half. Either way, he was very effective as he made seven of his eight field goals attempts, was bullish in the middle of the paint, and also collected a game-high five offensive rebounds.

“I thought Derek was great (Wednesday),” Kidd said. “I’ve talked about him playing with the second group and what that would look like. We’ve shown him in the game and shown him starting in that last preseason game (last Friday against Detroit), so he’s been really good with both groups.

“And I thought being able to bring him off the bench (Wednesday) — and then being able to start him in the second half — was something that we talked about doing. Again, he was great on both ends. Being able to rebound the ball, being able to change shots (and) giving us second or third opportunities.”

When Lively was about to start his postgame press conference, guard Tim Hardaway Jr. strolled by and shouted: “Way to play, rook!”

Lively’s play was reminiscent of what Chandler used to do when he helped the Mavs capture the 2011 NBA title. In fact, Lively is currently being tutored by Chandler and has credited the former Mavs’ center for the uptick in his game.

“From day one when I saw him from the start of camp until this day, he’s improved a lot,” guard Luka Doncic said of Lively. “He’s a great kid and he listens to other guys and what they have to say.”

Lively, who had two dunks against the Spurs, acknowledged that he felt very comfortable out on the floor. In addition, he finished the game with a game-high plus/minus of plus 20.

“The preseason games definitely taught me a lot,” Lively said. “The trip to Abu Dhabi and Madrid, and then the game against Detroit, I was able to learn and be able to be comfortable out there with my teammates and be able to figure out what they like, what tendencies they have and just make sure I play into that.”

Here are the three takeaways from the seven-point win over the Spurs.

IT’S A DONCIC/IRVING TAKEOVER: Just when the young Spurs thought they had things going their way, Mavs guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving slipped in and showed them otherwise. Down the stretch when the game was still up for grabs and with the Spurs leading, 117-115, Doncic and Irving showed why they are two of the most clutch performers in the history of the NBA. The Mavs outscored the Spurs, 11-2, with the game on the line. Six of those points came from Doncic. The other five? They came from Irving.

WILLIAMS A BIG FACTOR: It only took one game for that big off-season sign-and-trade which brought Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics to the Mavs to prove that it was the right move. Williams played 35 minutes, scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and was 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Williams also played a pivotal role in bottling up Spurs rookie power forward Victor Wembanyama and getting him into foul trouble.

HARDAWAY KEPT THEM AFLOAT: While the Mavs were struggling offensively – and defensively, for that matter – in the first quarter, it was Tim Hardaway Jr. who helped them hang around the Spurs. San Antonio scored 43 points in the first quarter, and the Mavs had 36 points at that juncture. Thanks to the 12 first-quarter points off the bench by Hardaway, the Mavs were able to stay close to the Spurs until they got their offensive – and defensive – acts together.

X: @DwainPrice