Mavericks defense has improved this season
Say what you want to about this team's offensive woes early on - at least before last night's 129-101 win over Toronto - but the Mavericks have played much better defense so far this season. Coach Rick Carlisle made it a focus early on, and the Mavericks have responded. Off-season additions of foward Shawn Marion and pesty guard Quinton Ross have certainly helped. For a team that once believed the fastest way to the win column was getting to 100 points, this season's Mavericks have talked defense from the beginning and backed it up on the court. Last season, the Mavericks were 18-23 in games in which they didn't score in triple digits. This year: 3-1. Guar

Mavericks swingman Josh Howard said he still has soreness in his left ankle
Mavericks swingman Josh Howard made his season debut Saturday night in a 129-101 victory over Toronto. He started and scored 16 points in 24 minutes in his first game back after recovering from off-season left ankle surgery. "I was nervous as hell out there," Howard said. "But after I made my first couple of free throws, I was able to tough it out." Howard said he played Saturday with a "small cast" on his left ankle. He said the soreness is still there and it worsened deeper into the game. "It's just something that's going to happen for right now, with the fatigue and cutting," Howard said. "I've built it up enough that I can play 30 minutes, 25 minutes, but afte

Final: Mavericks 129, Toronto 101
The Mavericks' inconsistent offense received a big boost Saturday night with the return of swingman Josh Howard. And the Toronto Raptors received an up-close look at just how potent the Mavericks' new-look lineup can be with Howard in the mix. Howard made his season debut and helped spark a 129-101 rout over the Raptors at the American Airlines Center. Howard missed the Mavericks' first five games while recovering from off-season left ankle surgery. He started Saturday and finished with 16 points in 25 minutes. The Mavericks closed their best offensive night of the season with a 44-point fourth quarter with mostly reserves on the floor. They shot a blister

End of third quarter: Mavericks 85, Toronto 70
The Mavericks outscored Toronto, 30-22, in the third quarter as Dirk Nowitzki heated up with 13 points in the period, and Dallas will take a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter. Toronto is playing on back-to-back nights for the first time this season and appeared a step slow in the third quarter. You're getting a glimpse tonight of what Dallas' offense could look like with swingman Josh Howard back in the mix. Not bad so far.

Mavericks lead at halftime over Toronto, 55-48
Josh Howard has 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting in the first half in his season debut and the Mavericks have a 55-48 lead over Toronto. Howard came out aggressive and hasn't let up. He finished the first half by recording his third steal and taking the ball coast to coast for a layup into traffic. Lincoln product Chris Bosh leads Toronto with 15 points at halftime. Thoughts on the way Howard has looked so far and what he's done for the Mavericks offense, which has been sporadic to start the season.