Calvin Booth played his first game after missing seven while his sore right ankle time mended.
The 6-foot-11 center was excited to get back in action. And his return coincided with the first game against his former team.

Booth didn't play a full season with the Mavericks after being traded from the Wizards in February. But it didn't take long for Booth to become a favorite with the organization. His career highlight remains scoring a layup over Karl Malone in the fifth and final playoff game against the Jazz to send the Mavericks into the second round.

"It was a good experience," Booth ? who was greeted with boos ? said before the game. "My teammates were cool and everything. It was a real positive experience. It was nice making the playoffs and beating Utah."

During the summer, Booth stunned Dallas' management by accepting Seattle's offer of a six-year, $34 million deal. The Mavericks have developed a reputation for being an organization players prefer partly because owner Mark Cuban spares no costs. And the Mavericks had envisioned Booth as their center of the future.

"It was like a kick in the teeth," said Dallas Coach Don Nelson.