The San Antonio Spurs have started the defence of their NBA title with a narrow 101-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Centre.
The visitors jumped to a lead in the second quarter with Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons both among the points for the Mavericks, but mistakes after the break let San Antonio back into the game.
Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler both argued with the referee to concede technical fouls less than a minute apart, leaving Tim Duncan to close the gap.
Neither side was able to take charge of the fourth quarter, but a three-pointer from Tony Parker with just over a minute to play put the Spurs ahead.
Parsons could have won it at the death for Dallas, but his shot hit the rim with 0.4 seconds remaining to leave the Mavericks a point short.
The Spurs are in action again on Friday at the Phoenix Suns, while the Mavericks host the Utah Jazz tomorrow.
Sian Cowper
