When the Sonics signed Calvin Booth as a free agent this summer to be their starting center, it was generally assumed they had sacrificed scoring for defense.

Who knew?

Returning from a nasty sprained ankle which has held him out for seven of the Sonics' first 12 games, Booth was a catalyst as the Sonics shot 53% from the field in beating the Dallas Mavericks this evening, 105-97, in a game that was not nearly as close as the score indicated.

Playing his old team, the Dallas Mavericks, who desperately wanted to resign him but were limited by their cap situation, Booth was effective in two ways. At the top of the key, he provided the Sonics the high post threat they expected when they signed him. This manifested itself both in a solid effort on 15 foot jumpers as well as good passes to cutters. On the inside, Booth provided a soft touch, ability to catch tough passes, and getting to the line, where he was 12-12. That all added up to 24 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, and a huge road win.

The Sonics came out hot, leading by 10 at the end of the first quarter. The lead was extended to as many as 20 in the second quarter, before the Mavericks went small and defensive minded and were able to whittle the lead back down to 10 at the end of the first half. Steve Nash came out smoking for Dallas in the third quarter, and the Mavs' hot offensive play got them to within three. But that merely awoke the Sonics' sleeping giant, Gary Payton, who led a 14-0 Sonic run to close the quarter. The game was over for all intents and purposes, but the Sonics did fall into a funk at the start of the fourth, allowing the Mavs to entertain some drama, but their third straight loss quickly became official.

Payton led the Sonics in scoring with 25 points, and also chipped in 10 assists. Booth's 24 came on just 10 shots (6 of those makes). Desmond Mason was the third Sonic with at least 20 points, hitting that mark by utilizing his newly proficient jumper to tune of 7 for 14 from the field. Booth was not the only big man returning from injury tonight. Predrag Drobnjak, on the injured list all season with a sprained ankle, returned in reserve of Booth and was impressive, scoring 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting in 16 minutes.

Michael Finley, who played all 48 minutes, led the Mavericks with 26 points. Nash's 5 three pointers propelled him to 25 points, along with 6 assists. Dirk Nowitzki, struggling with a sprained ankle of his own, struggled with his shooting, hitting just 5 of 19 from the field and 1of 7 from three. He finished with 14. Juwan Howard had 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Adrian Griffin 12 points and 5 steals off the bench.

Notes:
To activate Drobnjak, the Sonics placed Jerome James on the injured list with (guess what) a sprained ankle ... Vladimir Radmanovic's minutes hit rock bottom this evening, as he was a DNP-CD for the first time in his career ... Shammond Williams reclaimed the reserve point guard job from Earl Watson, playing 23 minutes off the bench ... despite a game against San Antonio looming tomorrow night on the back end of the 'Texas two-step', Coach Nate McMillan used just seven players in the second half.

SC.com Player of the Game: In a return home, Calvin Booth improved the Sonics' ball movement and midrange shooting. For that, he wins PoG.