Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 15 points and 12 rebounds, despite losing his front teeth during the middle of the game. His gritty performance was witnessed by 137 U.S. soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan sitting in front-row seats.

Nowitzki was hit in the mouth by teammate Jason Terry and Atlanta's Jason Collier while going for a rebound. He returned late in the first quarter without the dental bridge that comprises most of his top teeth. He had it put back in at halftime with a cream a team employee bought at a drug store during the first half.

"I was lucky enough that my dentist was actually at the game," Nowitzki said. "He came in and fixed it real quick. I've got to go back and see him (Sunday)."