Rajon Rondo didn’t dominate, but he did just enough to help the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs in his Dallas debut.
In his first game with the Mavericks after being traded from the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, Rondo scored just six points on 3-of-11 shooting but added a team-high nine assists as well as seven rebounds in a 99-93 win. He also committed a team-high four turnovers, though.
Rondo picked up his first assist in white and blue when he found Monta Ellis on the left side for a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter. About a minute later, the point guard found Richard Jefferson with a nice pass that led to an easy layup.
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It hardly was a banner win for the Mavericks, as the depleted Spurs were without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter. Rondo didn’t have to do a whole lot, either, as Ellis poured in a game-high 38 points in the win.
“It was exciting,” Rondo told reporters after the game, according to The Associated Press. “Best part was we got the win.”
Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was impressed by how quickly Rondo’s transition to a new team has been.
“I actually think that he knows the plays better than some of our own guys,” Nowitzki stated.
Dwight Powell, Dallas’ other addition in the trade, was the only Mavericks player not to see the floor.
Celtics fans will get their first look at Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright and Jae Crowder on Sunday night when Boston takes on the Miami Heat at 6 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images
