Johnson’s Test Run Spoiled by Spurs

As much as the San Antonio Spurs love beating the Dallas Mavericks, this pounding was less satisfying than usual.

In defeating their division rivals, 107-89, Tuesday night at Dallas, the Spurs ruined the pseudo-coaching debut of Avery Johnson, one of the most beloved players in San Antonio history.

Johnson’s Mavericks never led but were close at the start of the fourth quarter until Devin Brown sparked a victory-sealing spurt with two three-point plays and two dunks. He finished with 14 of his season-high 16 points in the quarter.

Johnson is the hand-picked successor of Dallas Coach Don Nelson, who has one season left on his contract after this season. Johnson ran the team as Nelson offered only suggestions in the first of about six such training sessions Nelson hopes to have.

“It felt great, you are just mad that you lost,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t sit well with me.... We have a very good basketball team here, but you didn’t see that tonight.”

Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 20 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots. Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas, which lost for the fourth time in six games.

Toronto 94, Miami 92 -- Jalen Rose scored 24 points, including the decisive free throws with 15.6 seconds left, to help the Raptors end a six-game road losing streak despite Shaquille O’Neal’s season-high 34 points at Miami.

O’Neal made 12 of 15 field goals, 10 of 13 free throws and had 17 rebounds. Dwyane Wade missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.

Detroit 93, Houston 72 -- Antonio McDyess had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Hamilton also scored 19 at Houston, helping the Pistons end a five-game road losing streak.

Portland 100, Seattle 94 -- Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 25 points at Portland, Ore., to help the Trail Blazers stop a four-game winning streak by the SuperSonics (13-3).

Phoenix 115, Utah 102 -- Steve Nash had 20 points and 14 assists at Salt Lake City to lead the Suns to their eighth straight victory. The Suns’ Amare Stoudemire led all scorers with 29 points.

New Jersey 99, Charlotte 86 -- Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams had a season-high 22 at East Rutherford, N.J., to help the Nets end a nine-game losing streak.

New York 110, Atlanta 109 -- With the Hawks rushing to foul him with a foul to waste, Jamal Crawford made a three-pointer with 3.4 seconds left in overtime to lift the Knicks at Atlanta. Crawford had 24 points for the Knicks. Antoine Walker had a season-high 36 for the Hawks.

Sacramento 98, Memphis 93 -- At Memphis, Tenn., Peja Stojakovic had 29 points as the Kings handed the Grizzlies their fourth straight loss.

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The NBA will set new security guidelines for its arenas, exerting more authority over a matter previously left to individual teams, Commissioner David Stern said.

Stern said the Nov. 19 Indiana Pacer-Detroit Piston brawl exposed current policies as inadequate. Stern, offering no specifics, said the new guidelines would be issued in early January.

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The Utah Jazz placed forward Andrei Kirilenko on the injured list because of a sprained knee ligament.... New Orleans Hornet center Jamaal Magloire was fined $7,500 by the NBA for throwing a basketball at Golden State Warrior forward Mike Dunleavy in a game last week.