Agent Zero Becomes A Hero, Wizards Corral Mavericks 102-91

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap, NBA Regular Season Opener

Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas (#0)

The Washington Wizards typically start out most seasons slowly; but to be fair, part of the reason is that point guard Gilbert Arenas has been hurt in some fashion. But this is the 2009 season and Arenas is back and healthy. It definitely showed in their season opener as they visited American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Arenas, if tonight’s effort is any indication, is back to his old self; he scored 29 points, lifting Washington to an impressive 102-91 win over Dallas.

Like a championship boxing match, both teams felt each other out as both teams went into the second quarter tied at 21; the Wizards opened things up a bit as they improved their shooting, widening their advantage to 56-50, a lead they would take to their locker room at halftime.

Dirk Nowitzki helped Dallas narrow the gap in the third quarter as he scored 11; the Mavericks would narrow their deficit to three going into the final period. The Wizards shot well in the fourth as they got a team effort from Arenas, Caron Butler and newly-acquired Randy Foye as they shared scoring relatively equitably, holding the Mavericks to 17 points in the period, sealing the win on a Mike Miller three-pointer with 4:28 left in the game.

Arenas led four Wizards players in double-digits, scoring 29 points with 2 rebounds and 9 assists while Andray Blatche came off the bench and added 20 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 2 blocks. Foye chipped in 19 with 3 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals; Butler contributed 16 with 8 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks.

Nowitzki lead all Mavericks scorers with a game-high 34 points, 9 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks while Shawn Marion added 16 with 7 rebounds, a steal and 3 blocks; reserve Jose Juan Barea chipped in 13 with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Washington (1-0) plays again on Friday night when they travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks while Dallas (0-1) makes a West Coast trip to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers – also on Friday night.

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