Dampier starting strong

Erick Dampier has played 30 minutes this season in two games. That’s about the equivalent of one solid start and his stat line is just as solid – 17 rebounds and 10 points. He had four offensive boards against San Antonio, all coming in the second quarter.

“We really don’t maintain that lead without Damp’s offensive rebounds and, if you notice, we seem to be getting more,” Avery Johnson said. “And our offense seems to be working a little bit better now that he’s back.”

The Mavs have 20 offensive rebounds in the last two games. Thin at center not that long ago, Johnson now has Dampier, Gana Diop, Brandon Bass and Juwan Howard to turn to.