Brendan Haywood tied a career high with 20 rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks improved to 4-0 with him as their starting center in a 91-82 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Haywood, who came over from Washington in a Feb. 13 trade,
scored 13 points and added three blocks to anchor a defense that
was springing leaks before he arrived. The Mavericks have held all
five opponents since the trade to less than 100 points after the
previous eight broke that mark.
Haywood is starting in place of Erick Dampier, who dislocated a
finger in the first game with his new backup.
Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 23 points.
Playing his second straight game in his native Texas, T.J. Ford
led the Pacers with 14 points.