Brandon Bass returns home

Avery Johnson wasn’t the only one celebrating a homecoming. Brandon Bass, a native of Baton Rouge and product of LSU, rounded up 41 tickets for family and friends. (Johnson needed 50 tickets.)

Under different circumstances, it would have been a home game for Bass. He spent the first two years of his NBA career with the Hornets, who spent much of that time in Oklahoma City. Bass never found his niche in Byron Scott’s system and signed with the Mavs during the offseason.

“I’ve very happy where I’m at right now,” Bass said, “but it just feels so weird to not be playing here and to be here. I’m finally getting the chance to play and that’s what it’s all about.”

Johnson has plugged the energetic and athletic Bass into the rotation off the bench. That role never materialized with his “hometown” team.

“His time with the Hornets is water under the bridge,” Johnson said.

Johnson didn’t do much with his family before the game by design. The Johnsons were planning to get together after and Sunday morning.