NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Jerry Stackhouse helped the Dallas Mavericks ruin Byron Scott’s debut as coach of the New Orleans Hornets.

All three scored 19 points, and Dallas and had three others reach double figures in a 106-91 victory Wednesday night in the Hornets’ first game in the Westeren Conference.

The Mavericks, coming off a season-opening victory over Sacramento a night earlier, shot 54 percent and saw no drop-off despite using Stackhouse and Jason Terry (18 points) in reserve roles.

New Orleans compounded its problems with sloppiness on the offensive end. The Hornets turned over the ball 17 times, leading to 23 Dallas points. When the Hornets started tossing up desperation 3-pointers – those which missed produced fast breaks the other way – the Mavericks took advantage.

Two fast breaks ended in dunks by Nowitzki in the second half. Dallas had 17 fast-break points.

The Mavericks also got 11 points from Josh Howard and 10 from Erick Dampier.

Baron Davis led the Hornets with 25 points, and Jamaal Magloire and David Wesley added 11 apiece.

Dallas began the second half with an 8-2 run and never let its lead get below six points thereafter despite the best efforts of Davis. He had 13 points in the third quarter.

Davis finished one drive with a leaning, off-balance scoop to make the score 66-60, but Dampier responded with a short jumper and Finley hit from 20 feet to get the lead back to 10 points.

The end of the quarter belonged to Nowitzki, who hit a straightaway 3, made a steal and finished a break with a dunk to give Dallas an 83-69 lead going into the final period

The Mavericks led 39-37 with 4:31 left in the first half when Finley ignited an 11-3 run with a driving layup. With the Hornets’ starters in the game, Dallas scored on nine of its last 11 possessions of the half. That included Finley driving past Wesley for a layup, then hitting 3-pointer with Wesley in his face to help Dallas to a 54-45 halftime lead.

Notes: The Hornets have lost their last 10 regular-season games against the Mavericks, who handed them their first season-opening loss in six years. … Rookie Devin Harris got the start in front of Terry. He scored two points. … The Hornets unveiled their new third jerseys, which they call “Mardi Gras gold.” They normally wear white at home with teal numbers and purple and gold trim. Dallas wore white instead of its traditional road blue. … Although rookie J.R. Smith was among the Hornets’ scoring leaders while starting for the then-injured Wesley (right hamstring) during the preseason, Wesley got the start. Smith made his regular-season debut with 2:52 to go in the first quarter. The 19-year-old player had six points in 15 minutes. … Recording stars L.L. Cool J and Jessica Simpson were in the audience.

AP-ES-11-03-04 2256EST