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Mavericks' Harrison Barnes: Scores 19 in Mavs debut

Barnes netted 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt) and had nine rebounds in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 overtime loss to the Pacers.

Analysis:

Barnes' horrid preseason led many to wonder if the Mavericks had buyer's remorse after gifting the forward a four-year, $94 million contract in the offseason, but for at least one game, the 24-year-old quieted his critics. For all the heat he drew with the Warriors this past summer for his mediocre showing in the NBA Finals, Barnes is still a 44.7 percent career shooter, a perfectly respectable mark for a forward. While it's true the Mavericks are counting on Barnes to take on more scoring responsibility than he had to with the Warriors, the presence of effective veterans in Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews won't put all the weight completely on his shoulders. Expect some bumpy shooting nights along the way, but Barnes should nonetheless deliver a career-high scoring average when it's all said and done.

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