------DALLAS PULL PAST CHARLOTTE------
(fourth-quarter sim)
A regular day at the office gave the Dallas Mavericks a comfortable 104-93 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, Josh Howard scored 27 to go with the same rebound total and one more dime than Dirk, and Ben Gordon scored 23. Luol Deng had eight points coming off the bench and added two nice blocks.
Everybody in the Bobcats' starting lineup chipped in, led by Emeka Okafor and Adam Morrison who scored 21 points each. Brevin Knight had 20 and Gerald Wallace was the most well-rounded of the Bobcats with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and a couple of spectacular dunks to please the Bobcats' faithful.


Dallas boxscore
Charlotte boxscore
------ALL-STAR STARTERS ANNOUNCED, ROOKIE CHALLENGE STARTERS, ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT PARTICIPANTS------
Luke Ridnour earned his first All-Star berth after a sparkling season running the floor in Seattle. He didn't expect it to be a starter spot though, especially with two-time MVP Steve Nash on the firing Phoenix Suns.
There were surprises all around as the All-Star starters were announced, with Brad Miller joining Ridnour with first-time All-Star berths, and Dirk Nowitzki finally getting his first All-Star start after years behind Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.
The East was much more predictable, as Shaq, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups all received starts after several All-Star berths had already been made between them.
The Slam Dunk Contest this year guarantees to be an exciting one, with defending champ Nate Robinson returning to face Dwight Howard, Tyrus Thomas and James "Flight" White.
Dirk Nowitzki is also back to defend his Three-Point Crown, with Gilbert Arenas eager to grab it for himself and an assortment of others looking to perform well.
In the Rookie Challenge, there weren't many surprises outside of Gerald Green starting at the 2 for the Sophomores despite averaging just 3.9 points, and the undrafted Kevin Pittsnogle starting at center for the rookies after being solid for the Wolves.
Rookie starters
Sophomore starters
East starters
West starters
------HARRIS BRILLIANT, DALLAS ROCKS SEATTLE------
Days after earning his first All-Star berth, Luke Ridnour must've been wondering who was the actual All-Star.
The main reason was because of Devin Harris.
The third-year guard out of Wisconsin gave Ridnour a drilling in the first quarter as the Dallas Mavericks finished off the first half of the season with a convincing rout of the Seattle Supersonics.
The charge was led by Harris, who scored 15 of the Mavs' 33 first-quarter points, going to the line six times in the process. He finished with career-bests in points and assists, with 33 and 15. In a crazy final quarter, he added 12 more as Dallas scored 41 points and ended up with 128, their most all-season in a four-quarter game.
"
Devin was amazing today. He was just driving inside, beating defenders. He did the whole lot today."Avery Johnson gushed post-game.
He was right. Harris even made a hail-mary three from about 35-feet out, and in the prrocess made Ridnour feel rather small.
"
It was unbelievable. You get announced an All-Star for the first time in your life, then the next game you get drilled by 33. He was great tonight, I couldn't do much" Ridnour said, shaking his head.
To his credit, he didn't fall too badly, scoring 21 points despite missing seven threes, and handing out 5 assists.
But when the Mavericks' offence is running at full-pace, they're hard to stop. Dirk Nowitzki hit three treys on the way to 33 and Luol Deng was strong off the bench, taking it to the basket hard and was rewarded with 20 points, including three threes of his own.
Ray Allen was kept quiet by Ben Gordon and Devean George, but Rashard Lewis was hot with 27 points, as he continued to push for an All-Star berth. The reserves will be announced in a few days.
But for now, the Mavs are toasting Devin Harris.


Dallas boxscore
Seattle boxscore