Stoudemire debuts in Mavericks’ win over Hornets

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks hope forward Amar’e Stoudemire is another piece in a potential championship puzzle. The fit looked pretty good Sunday night.

Stoudemire made his Dallas debut and scored 14 points off the bench in a 92-81 victory over the slumping Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night at American Airlines Center.

“It’s pretty clear the guy knows how to play the game,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said of Stoudemire. “He’s got a lot of skill. He’s still got a lot of juice.”

The Mavericks (38-20) improved to 11-0 all-time in Dallas against the current Charlotte franchise. The Hornets (22-32) are still in the Eastern Conference playoff race in ninth place despite dropping their fifth game in a row.

Shooting guard Monta Ellis helped close the door on Charlotte with 15 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a game-high 23. Small forward Richard Jefferson (10 points and 10 rebounds) picked up the slack with starter Chandler Parsons shelved due to an ankle injury. Dallas center Tyson Chandler had 12 points and seven rebounds.

However, it was Stoudemire who lit a fire into the second unit with a spirited 11-minute stint. Bought out of his contract by the New York Knicks last week, the 13-year veteran returned to the Western Conference to play on a contender.

The Mavericks had a desperate need for frontline depth behind power forward Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler, Stoudemire’s former teammate in New York. Stoudemire, after missing two games since signing with Dallas, made five of eight shots and grabbed three boards.

He wasn’t trying to do too much in his first game.

“Keep it simple,” Stoudemire said. “Coach Carlisle has so many plays offensively, so in order for me to get the plays figured out, I have to take my time and take it one day at a time, but tonight I kept it simple and played my game.”

Charlotte point guard Mo Williams scored a team-high 22 and forwards Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams each added 15 points. Center Al Jefferson corralled 17 rebounds, but scored only eight points on 4-of-16 shooting.

Mo Williams has averaged 21 points in two games since joining the Hornets.

“He’s a pro player,” Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. “He’s a good offensive player, he’s a good pick-and-roll player, and he can organize a team, so he’s doing a good job.”

The Hornets played from behind all night, but closed within six points in the fourth quarter. As has been the case lately, Charlotte couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch.

“We’re going through a little slump right now,” Al Jefferson said. “I really think we are close to where we need to be, the offense and defense. We showed throughout the game. I think we’re real close and we just need to get there. Time is running out and it’s now or never.”

The Mavericks didn’t need long to take control with a double-digit lead by moving the ball for good looks in the first quarter. Richard Jefferson spotted up for 3-pointers in the corner — he made three in the first half — as the Hornets were a step behind.

“We are just trying to get some more movement,” Jefferson said. “Coach has put in some plays that have really put us in a position to drive, and that’s what we’re trying to focus on. I’m gonna shoot 3s. I’m gonna get to the corner.”

Stoudemire made his presence felt with two thunderous dunks to give Dallas a 28-16 lead going into the second period. Dallas went up as much as 19 points and took a 45-35 advantage into halftime.

Richard Jefferson had 10 points at the break, with Stoudemire and Dallas guard J.J. Barea each scoring six off the bench. Al Jefferson grabbed 12 boards in the first half, and Marvin Williams had eight points for Charlotte.

NOTES: Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki hit just three of seven shots and finished with eight points and 12 rebounds. … The Mavericks will be without F Chandler Parsons (ankle) for at least three games. Parsons was injured in Friday’s win over Houston. He also will sit out games Tuesday (Toronto) and Wednesday (Atlanta), according to coach Rick Carlisle. … G Mo Williams had 24 points and 12 assists in his first game for Charlotte on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.