David Lee acquisition paying off right away for Mavs

Well, that didn’t take long for the David Lee acquisition to pay off.

In just his second game with the Dallas Mavericks, Lee registered his first double-double of the season Friday night against the Denver Nuggets while showing why he is such a valuable commodity.

The 11-year veteran finished with a season-high tying 14 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in only 25 minutes as the Mavs stormed back from a 23-point deficit to stun the Nuggets in overtime, 122-116, at American Airlines Center.

Lee was waived by the Boston Celtics a week ago, and the Mavs signed him to a prorated cap room exception salary for the rest of the season worth $2.1 million. The Mavs likes the way the power forward/center can work around the basket, and the playoff experience brings to the table.

All of that was on full display against the Nuggets as Lee converted 6-of-10 shots, snatched seven of the Mavs’ 10 offensive rebounds and was simply a steady force inside the paint.

“Well, Lee was very active tonight, played hard,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said. “I think he understood what we were doing at both ends of the floor.

“You can see where he can help us. He’s a guy that is quick to the ball, he rebounds well, he can finish around the basket.’’

After the Mavs fell behind 55-32 late in the second quarter, Carlisle decided to start guard Raymond Felton in the second half in place of center Zaza Pachulia. And when Carlisle did decide to play a center, it was either Dirk Nowitzki or Lee who drew that assignment in the middle.

Pachulia finished the night with no points and one rebound in eight minutes, and did not play in the second half. Is this a trend going forward?

“I’m not going to discuss in the press how I talk to players about changes during the game,’’ Carlisle said. “That’s not your business.’’

Lee has made it his business to get down and dirty and make a quick impact with the Mavs. Then again, when given the chance, he also played a pivotal role while helping the Golden State Warriors win last year’s NBA title.

That warrior mentality is what the Mavs were hoping for when they signed Lee earlier this week.

“He’s going to help us – it’s pretty clear,’’ Carlisle said. “I like his energy, I like his skill.

“He’s a hit-first kind of athlete and a hit-first kind of personality. He’s into winning, as far as I can see.’’

Lee’s winning ways was there for all to see in a Friday night game which looked like the Mavs (31-28) were well on their way to losing.

The Mavs have simplified their offense a bit to accommodate Lee. But as the games stack up, they’ll be able to add more plays to his plate.

“A lot of what we do anyways is moving the ball and flow and setting pick-and-rolls and playing off of one another,’’ Lee said. “So the biggest adjustment is just getting used to playing with new point guards that I haven’t played with before.

“Once again that’s something I’m going to get better at as we go along, and they’ll get more used to my game. Like I said, I think I’ll just continue to get better from game-to-game.’’

If that comment comes to fruition, Lee will likely earn himself more and more minutes the rest of this season.

“A lot of my stuff is decision-making, so when you’re out there thinking rather than just playing, it makes it a little more difficult,’’ Lee said. “The important thing is to go out there and play hard and makes up for most mistakes you’re going to make.

“And also just play my game and have fun and continue to get better game-in and game-out at the detail stuff.’’

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 11:58 PM with the headline "David Lee acquisition paying off right away for Mavs."