Whoa Nellie! Warriors edge Mavs in Nelson’s return to Big D

The game was a successful return to Dallas for Warriors head coach Don Nelson, who led the Mavs for eight seasons from 1997-2005.

The Mavs squandered several golden chances to tie the game in the final seconds. First, with the Warriors up three and 36 seconds on the clock, Jerry Stackhouse was set up behind the arc for a three-point attempt, but fumbled the ball out of bounds.

After Mickael Pietrus air-balled a shot for the Warriors, the Mavs had another chance to tie. In the final seconds, Stackhouse pulled up for another three which hit the rim. The rebound bounced out to Anthony Johnson who sent a quick pass to Devin Harris waiting in the right corner. Instead of teeing up a potential tying shot, Harris chose to pass back to Johnson on the right wing, but Harris he could not get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.

Mavs head coach Del Harris screamed for a timeout, but was never granted his wish.

Troy Murphy poured in 20 points, and Monta Ellis backed that up with 16 off the bench for the Warriors, who have won two of three overall and their last four overall in Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 and had 11 rebounds for the Mavs. Devin Harris added 17 points, Jason Terry had 15, while Greg Buckner and Josh Howard each finished with 13 for Dallas, which has lost its first three games of the season for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign.