LOS ANGELES — After leaning on new addition Harrison Barnes’ career-high 34 points and eight rebounds to claim their first victory of the season Sunday with an 86-75 overtime win at home over Milwaukee, the Dallas Mavericks will try to keep the momentum going while beginning a daunting back-to-back on the West Coast.
Playing without 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (right Achilles soreness), starting point guard Deron Williams (left calf strain) and veteran reserve Devin Harris (right great toe sprain), the Mavericks (1-5) turned to their prized offseason signing to carry them to a win. The Mavs could now find themselves in the same position Tuesday night to begin a difficult road trip against the young and athletic Los Angeles Lakers, hoping that Barnes can continue to elevate his game while Nowitzki and Harris nurse their way back to 100 percent.