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Mavericks' moxie became apparent as Harrison Barnes returned, but Dallas hasn't put things together just yet

TORONTO -- It took Harrison Barnes awhile to get his sea legs in his season debut.

At least he had an excuse, unlike the rest of his teammates as they fell behind 18-2 before they cleared customs.

They eventually got their act together and pushed the potent Toronto Raptors into the fourth quarter, largely because Barnes returned with a solid showing. The Raptors won, 116-107, but that's what they do. They are 6-0 for a reason. And if the Boston Celtics aren't taking the Raps seriously in the Eastern Conference, something is very wrong.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are still waiting to put their preferred starting five together.