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Green helps Mavericks to easy win over Kings

Oct 19, 2008 - 3:55 AM By John Tranchina PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DALLAS (Ticker) -- He might not have been a high-profile free agent signing this summer, but Gerald Green let the Dallas Mavericks know Saturday night that he could be a force to be reckoned with.

Green, a former first round pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2005 draft, led all scorers with 29 points in an outstanding performance to lead the Mavericks to a 124-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

After scoring 16 points in the second quarter alone, Green returned for the fourth quarter and scored 13, including going 3-of-4 from 3-point range. His signature moment came with 5:05 remaining when he slashed his way to the basket and finished with an authoritative slam to give Dallas a commanding 113-92 lead.

The Mavericks, who had lost two straight after winning their first three preseason contests, pulled away with a dominating fourth quarter, building up a 24-point lead over the Kings at one point.

Kevin Martin led Sacramento - which began inserting most of its back-ups and roster hopefuls in the final period - with 26 points in 36 minutes, while John Salmons and Beno Udrih added 15 each.

Josh Howard registered 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki put 21 on the board for Dallas before each left the contest after the third quarter.

Both teams played the usual rotations of players for most of the game until the final period, which Dallas entered with a 92-86 lead.

But Green, looking to add spice to the Mavericks' guard position, was the story of this game. He also collected six rebounds and three steals in just over 20 minutes, while shooting 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Green now is shooting 95 percent (19-of-20) from the line in six preseason contests.