Spurs ride reserves to win at Dallas
DALLAS -- Reserve guard Patty Mills scored a season-high 23 points, and the San Antonio Spurs remained perfect on the road by rallying past the Dallas Mavericks 94-87 Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
The Spurs (15-4) improved to 11-0 on the road, the third-best away start in NBA history. San Antonio also won its seventh straight in the series against Dallas, including two meetings in the past 10 days.
The Spurs came back from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter. Mills scored 15 in the fourth, including eight points in a row as the Spurs went up 90-84.
The Mavericks (3-14) were led by Wesley Matthews, who had a season-high 26 points and hit five 3-pointers. Harrison Barnes scored 17.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest several big guns on the second night of back-to-back games. Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili didn't even leave San Antonio, while Tony Parker was in the building but didn't play.
Popovich also didn't have starters Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green on the floor to open the second half. Leonard did score 18 of his 21 points over the last two quarters.
The Mavericks were without Dirk Nowitzki for the 12th time this season, but they got reserve guard Devin Harris back for the first time this season. Harris played 11 minutes, all in the first half, and finished scoreless.
Dallas surged ahead in the third quarter, taking a 60-47 lead with a 15-0 run. The Spurs went 12 consecutive possessions over seven minutes without scoring.
San Antonio led for most of the first half. The Mavericks went on a five-minute scoring drought in the first period and the visitors took control. The Spurs' bench was especially active early, with Davis Bertans and Kyle Anderson making plays at both ends of the court.
San Antonio led by as many as 12 points before Seth Curry led a Dallas push in the second quarter to get the Mavs within 43-40 at halftime.
Barnes and Williams combined for 25 points in the half.
The Mavs complete a back-to-back Thursday night at Charlotte. The Spurs return home Friday to face the Washington Wizards.
NOTES: Dallas PF Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) is out for at least the next two games. He missed 12 of the team's first 17 games. "He's not just a beautiful player to watch, but his competitiveness is infectious," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. ... Mavs G Devin Harris was active for the first time this season after being out with a toe injury. "It's been tough to watch," Harris said of the team's 3-13 start. "I'll just get back and do what I can." ... Spurs C Pau Gasol and G Manu Ginobili did not make the trip to Dallas after playing Tuesday night against Orlando. Popovich said they were "banged up." PG Tony Parker suited up but didn't appear. G Nico Laprovittola started in his place, and he scored seven points.