It was opening night at the new arena, and you know what that meant.

Anthems aplenty. Bunting hanging from every balcony. A ponytail - gasp! - hanging from the back of former owner Don Carter's hair.

Dirk Nowitzki - no field goals at halftime. The Mavericks, jittery and uncertain in the opening minutes, trailing the Detroit Pistons at the intermission.

And, of course, 19,200 fans, all asking the new season's most intriguing question - how do we find the restrooms?

In time, the Mavericks also found the basket, and the home team christened the American Airlines Center in acceptable style Tuesday night, choking off the Pistons, 94-87.