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Spurs steal thrilling NBA season opener with 101-100 victory over Mavericks

Soobum Im / USA Today Sports

The reigning NBA champions received their championship rings Tuesday night and wasted no time getting to work on what they hope will be their first-ever repeat.

They served a quick reminder that the beautiful brand of basketball they put on display during last year's NBA Finals is alive and well, setting the table perfectly for the exciting season to come. Thank Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for that, as both were in fine form, combining for 43 points and nine assists on 15-of-28 shooting.

The Spurs also sent a message to Byron Scott and the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the second half of the opening-night double-header, hitting 14-of-28 from long range and reminding the old school that yes, triples can help win championships.

That includes a Parker triple with 1:07 remaining, the game's final score and the end of a late 11-2 push from the Mavs. From there, the Spurs forced a Monta Ellis turnover and milked the clock, leaving Dallas with just a 28-foot attempt from Chandler Parsons and a last-second full-court heave from Devin Harris, both of which failed.

Don't sleep on the fact that the win came without a pair of starters, as Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter missed the game and were replaced by Marco Belinelli and Matt Bonner, respectively. The Spurs very much looked the part of reigning champions ready to fight and defend their throne (though they've never lost when receiving their rings and that's yet to translate to a repeat).

At the same time, the Mavericks - who gave the Spurs their toughest test in the playoffs a year ago - proved themselves a worthy challenger.

Dallas struggled to share the ball, notching just 17 assists on 38 field goals, but their problems came more at the defensive end. It's one game against an elite offense, but there's work to be done on that end, with The Chandlers in particular looking at times uncomfortable in their new surroundings.

It does look like the Mavericks are going to be formidable when in a groove. Tyson Chandler will help the back end immensely, and Parsons looks to be the quintessential Rick Carlisle player, even in a disappointing debut. The Mavericks were already quite good and look to be better, so get ready for a bloodbath in the Southwest (Houston, Memphis, and New Orleans also loom).

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