Published Sunday, November 08, 2009 12:10 AM

Howard returns as Mavs beat Raptors

Associated Press

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and nine rebounds, and Josh Howard scored 16 in his season debut in the Dallas Mavericks' 129-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.

Jason Terry added 19 points, and Shawn Marion had 18 points and eight rebounds for Dallas, hitting his last nine attempts from the field.

Howard was in the starting lineup after missing all of the preseason and the first five games while recovering from surgery on his left ankle and left wrist in May.

Dallas native Chris Bosh had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Andrea Bargnani scored 22 points for the Raptors.

Toronto opened a three-game trip Friday night with a 107-90 victory at New Orleans, but the Raptors lacked energy on the second night of the back-to-back.

The Raptors set a club record with eight 3-pointers in the third quarter against the Hornets, but Toronto made only 8 of 22 from long range against Dallas.

Howard got off to a fast start, contributing seven points and two rebounds while playing the entire first quarter as Dallas carried a 26-25 lead into the second quarter.

Nowitzki had 16 points in the half to lead Dallas to a 55-48 lead. Bosh had 15 points and 10 points at the break.

The Mavericks broke the game open with a 15-4 run to start the third quarter, giving Dallas a 70-52 advantage.

Nowitzki converted his first three 3-pointers and his first four field goal attempts of the third quarter to help Dallas to an 85-70 edge entering the final quarter.

Terry had 12 points in the fourth quarter and the Mavericks shot 74 percent from the floor in the second half (29-for-39).

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