Avery Johnson To Make His Head Coaching Debut Tuesday

Dallas Mavericks head coach Don Nelson will step aside for Tuesday night's game against San Antonio and let his top assistant Avery Johnson run the team.

Nelson will still be on the bench against the Spurs, but will leave it to Johnson to make decisions against a team the former point guard once played for.

"I'll give him my opinion and he'll have to make the call," Nelson said. "Just like when he gives me his opinion, I reject some of them, he can reject mine."

Nelson would like Johnson to be his eventual successor, and plans to let him coach five or six games this season. Nelson is in his eighth season in Dallas, and is signed through next season.

Nelson chose San Antonio as the first test because Johnson is familiar with the Spurs and coach Gregg Popovich. While playing in San Antonio, Johnson, aka The Little General, hit the title-clinching jumper in the 1999 NBA Finals.

Johnson ended a 16-year playing career when he retired during the preseason. He returned to Dallas this summer, initially signing as a player-coach.

Via ESPN

Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs

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Sixers Score Just Six First Quarter Points

The Sixers had the nation watching on Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs and they came out of the gates and scored just six points in the first quarter.

The six points in a quarter set a franchise low.

Philadelphia mounted a comeback and took their first lead, 55-53, on a 3-pointer by Korver with 3:14 left in the third. Philadelphia held the lead until the Spurs went on a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers couldn't muster another comeback, losing 88-80.

Via FoxSports.com

Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs

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Wade Hurts Ankle in Loss to Dallas

Dwayne Wade sprained his ankle during Miami's first loss of the season versus the Dallas Mavericks.

"It's real sore," Wade said.

Wade will travel with the team to San Antonio, but it is unclear whether he will play.

Via Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs

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