Dirk Returns, Mavs Lose to Spurs

National Basketball Association(SAN ANTONIO) -- Dirk Nowitzki returned to the lineup after missing the first 27 games of the season for the Dallas Mavericks, but the San Antonio Spurs weren't so welcoming.

Danny Green led all scorers with 25 points and the Spurs crushed the  Mavericks 129-91 on Sunday at the AT&T Center.

Nowitzki scored eight points in 20 minutes for the Mavericks (12-16), who were outscored by 22 in the third quarter. The Spurs never looked back.

Tony Parker had 18 points, Kawhi Leonard scored 17 and Tim Duncan added 15 for the Spurs, who used a balanced scoring attack to get the win.

The Spurs (21-8) also set a franchise record with 20 three-pointers made.

Vince Carter scored 13 points in the loss for the Mavericks.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Spurs Fined $250,000 For Sitting Players

Bruce Bennett/Getty Image(NEW YORK) --  The NBA has fined the San Antonio Spurs $250,000 after head coach Gregg Popovich sat key players in a 105-100 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Danny Green on a commercial flight home instead of playing them in a nationally televised game against the Heat.

Popovich said it was in the best interest of the team that they rest for the Spurs' home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

"The result here is dictated by the totality of the facts in this case. The Spurs decided to make four of their top players unavailable for an early-season game that was the team's only regular-season visit to Miami. The team also did this without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way. Under these circumstances, I have concluded that the Spurs did a disservice to the league and our fans," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Spurs Bringing Back Danny Green, Boris Diaw

National Basketball Association(NEW YORK) -- The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly bringing back two crucial role players, agreeing to deals with both Danny Green and Boris Diaw.

Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated is reporting that Green has signed a three-year, $12 million contract to stay in San Antonio. Green was a restricted free agent so he had the right to sign with any other team, but the Spurs had the option to match any team's offer. In his second season with the Spurs, Green averaged 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game off the bench.

Diaw became a valuable contributor once the Spurs picked up him up from the Charlotte Bobcats. The 30-year-old Diaw played 20 games with the Spurs, making seven starts with the team. Diaw has agreed to a two-year deal worth $9 million. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds during his time with the Spurs.

Green and Diaw helped take the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals this past season.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio