Mavs pull away from Bucks in OT
DALLAS -- Harrison Barnes and J.J. Barea carried Dallas to its first win over the season, as the short-handed Mavericks outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 86-75 in overtime Sunday night at American Airlines Center.
Barnes scored a career-high 34 and Barea added 21, including five points in the extra session. The Mavs (1-5) snapped the longest losing streak to open a season in franchise history.
The Mavericks, down two starters in Dirk Nowitzki (sore right Achilles tendon) and Deron Williams (left calf strain), got a huge lift from their premier offseason signing and their scrappy veteran guard.
Barnes knocked down 13 of 26 shots and grabbed eight rebounds in 48 minutes. Barea had six boards and five assists in 46 minutes.
Milwaukee (4-3) had its three-game winning streak snapped while playing on the second half of a back-to-back. Jabari Parker led the Bucks with 16 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo was in early foul trouble and managed only 11 points to go along with seven rebounds. Greg Monroe had a double-double (14 points and 12 boards) off the bench.
The Bucks were lethargic for much of the second and third quarters but did hold a 68-62 lead going into the final six minutes.
The Bucks went into the fourth period down 59-56 but opened the quarter with an 8-0 run. Mirza Teletovic hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 64-59 advantage that forced a Dallas timeout.
Barea tied the game at 72-72 with a driving three-point play with 1:07 remaining. Milwaukee regained the lead on a vicious dunk by Antetokounmpo, but Barnes responded with a driving layup.
Antetokounmpo missed a long step-back jumper at the end of regulation to send the game into OT.
Barnes opened the extra session with a jumper, and Barea followed with a 3-pointer. The Mavs remained in control from there, outscoring the Bucks 12-1 in OT.
The Mavericks rallied from an early 13-point deficit to take a 47-39 lead into halftime. Barnes scored 14 in the second quarter, as Dallas outscored the Bucks 28-12.
Milwaukee gets a three-day break before facing the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Thursday. The Mavericks open a four-game road trip Tuesday at the Los Angeles Lakers.
NOTES: The 0-5 start was a source of concern for Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. "We're struggling and it's driving me nuts," he said. "We've gone through patches like this before. They've just never been at the beginning of the season. It's better to get them out of the way now and try to build momentum." ... Dallas PG Deron Williams' left calf strain is not believed to be serious. ... Milwaukee F Giannis Antetokounmpo came in as the only NBA player averaging at least 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steaks. ... Mavs C Andrew Bogut was back in the lineup after missing Friday's game for personal reasons. He finished with two points and 16 rebounds.