The Mavericks played a wonderful tribute video during pregame introductions for Dorian Finney-Smith’s first game back at American Airlines Center as a Brooklyn Net.
Then, during a first-quarter timeout, they did the same for Spencer Dinwiddie.
That would not be the last highlights for them. Both players poured in big shots and made their former team sweat until the end in a 125-120 Mavericks’ win.
Dinwiddie tossed in 23 points to go with eight assists while Finney-Smith had 12 points and seven rebounds while filling in as the Nets’ makeshift center for the injured Nic Claxton.
Those outings were something Mavericks fans have seen many times before.
Before the game, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said he’s seen it go both ways – good and bad – for players making their first return back to a place where they used to play.
This time, things went well for both players, regardless of the outcome.
Both players were missed at the end of last season when they were dealt in the Kyrie Irving trade.
They now are key contributors for the Nets.
It should come as no surprise that Finney-Smith’s blue-collar style has been just as big a hit in Brooklyn as it was in Dallas for all those years.
“We’re extremely happy that he’s a part of our organization right now,” Vaughn said. “Unbelievable human being, I think we see that in the care factor of his community, his family, his teammates.
“A joy to coach him, allows me to coach him hard. He plays hard and hopefully this year is extremely comfortable being in Brooklyn and playing with this group. (It can be) a little uneasy when you think about a trade midseason, but we love Doe and understand why the people of Dallas did also.”
No time to worry: The Mavericks got off to a solid start in San Antonio with a seven-point win, so it was hard to find fault with much of anything.
But it was interesting that Jaden Hardy, who was cleared to play after dealing with an ankle injury late in training camp, did not get off the bench.
“There’s only so many that can play,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I can’t play all 15. But he will play at some point.
“We do have a lot of guards. You have two guards (Luka and Kyrie) that are going to play, let’s just say, 35 (minutes). There’s not a lot of time for everyone to participate.”
Kidd made it clear, however, that while this isn’t a church league “where everyone gets a participation ribbon for playing,” it is a situation where everybody on the roster will be counted on at some point.
“You just have to be patient,” he said. “It’s 82 games, hopefully, plus. There’s going to be times (knocking on wood) when Luka or Kai are out and other guys got to step up and be ready. Hardy’s one of those guys. He’s got to be ready. He’s doing everything but he was hurt before the opener.
“At some point, he will get a chance to play, just like (Seth) Curry, Dante (Exum), the two-ways and the ballboys, so everybody’s going to play.”
Under the radar: As he was wearing a Rangers hat during his pregame chat with reporters, Kidd said that the opener showed that their attention to rebounding paid off.
They had three more boards than the San Antonio Spurs.
“That helped us,” he said. “Rebounding the ball is big. When you’re getting stops, getting misses, it’s about being able to finish the play. And I thought we did a good job there.
“And on the offensive end, being able to crash and get multiple opportunities is something I think was overlooked, too.”
The Mavericks weren’t quite as sharp on the glass Friday, getting outrebounded 47-40 by the Nets. But only having nine turnovers and hitting more than 41 percent from three-point range made up for it.
Briefly: The Nets played without Cam Johnson, who was sidelined as a precaution with a calf injury suffered during the season opener. “He tried to go through a little warmup at shootaround and felt it a little,” Vaughn said. “(We decided) to be cautious and sit him tonight.” . . . Also out for the Nets was center Nic Claxton, another starter from opening night, who was out with an ankle issue . . . The Mavericks get a two-day break between games before visiting Memphis on Monday. Several players have talked about supporting the Rangers in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.
X: @ESefko
Share and comment