he Panthers go 12-4 in the regular season and capture the NFC South

DALLAS - The star of Rajon Rondos debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night was Monta Ellis — the teammate whom the Mavericks hope helps Rondo form a lethal backcourt combination that will make them championship contenders.Ellis equaled his season high with 38 points, including 11 during the final four minutes, as the Mavericks rallied late to beat the depleted San Antonio Spurs 99-93. Ellis broke a 93-93 tie with a driving basket with 1:48 to play to give Dallas the lead for good. He hit 15-of-23 from the field and made four steals.The Spurs dropped their fourth straight, including three-overtime games on Wednesday and Friday.I felt it, Ellis said of his late surge. Its in my blood. Those guys were tired from last night, and their defence let up, so we took advantage.Rondo, the four-time All-Star who played his first eight-plus seasons with the Boston Celtics, scored six points on 3-for-11 shooting. Acquired Thursday in a multi-player trade, he had nine assists, seven rebounds.It was exciting, Rondo said. Best part was we got the win.Dirk Nowitzki, limited to 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, said of his new teammate: I actually think that he knows the plays better than some of our own guys.Marco Belinelli led San Antonio with 21 points. Aron Baynes added a career-high 16 points.Spurs coach Gregg Popovich dressed 10 players and played only eight. Veterans Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, who logged 90 and 71 minutes in the triple-overtime games, respectively, were left home. Danny Green and Tiago Splitter dressed but didnt play. They already were missing injured Tony Parker (hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (hand) while Patty Mills (back) has yet to play this season.Giving up 25 points off turnovers on the road is not going to make it easy to win a game, Popovich said. But I thought the effort and the play out of these guys was really spectacular.Rondo missed his only two field-goal attempts of the opening half and scored his first points as a Maverick with 7:59 to play in the third quarter on a drive that ended with goaltending by Boris Diaw.Rondos definitely a great player, the Spurs Cory Joseph said. He fills the stat sheet. He definitely can rebound. He can always pass the ball, so youve got to be aware on the weak side.The Spurs used a 12-point run starting in the final minute of the opening quarter to break a 21-21 tie and lead going into the fourth quarter. The Mavericks trailed 47-42 at intermission having scored their fewest first-half points of the season.___TIP-INSSpurs: They have lost six of their last eight games . San Antonio hit all of its 26 free-throw attempts. . The Spurs had won 10 consecutive regular-season games against the Mavericks, who took them to seven games in the first round of last seasons playoffs.Mavericks: Dallas won for the first time this season in five games in which it failed to score 100 points. . Coach Rick Carlisle said he doesnt expect Raymond Felton (ankle) to make his season debut by Christmas.MINUTE BY MINUTEPopovich said he has no set plans for further reducing minutes for Duncan, Ginobili or anyone else in the wake of the recent three-overtime games: It doesnt happen in one game or two games or six games. It happens over a season. You have to think in the long term.ZONE READ?Carlisle said the addition of Rondo could lead to Dallas playing more zone defence like it did with Jason Kidd: Its definitely in the tool box of things. On paper, he looks like a guy that would fit well at that scheme because of anticipation, long arms, defensive rebounding ability.UP NEXTThe Spurs will host the Los Angeles Clippers, the fifth consecutive game against teams that would currently qualify for the playoffs, on Monday.The Mavericks will host Atlanta on Monday. They are 12-2 against Eastern Conference opponents. Meghan Klingenberg Jersey . Kerber will next play Estonias Kaia Kanepi, who beat American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-1, 6-3. In other first-round matches, Lucie Safarova beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-4 and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands had a 6-4, 6-3 win over Canadas Eugenie Bouchard. Abby Dahlkemper Jersey . LOUIS -- The Atlanta Braves used a two-run rally in the ninth to end their road trip with a win. http://www.uswntproshop.com/c-6-becky-sauerbrunn-usa-jersey.aspx . -- Brandon Hope stopped 46 shots and Kurtis MacDermid scored with 27 seconds remaining in overtime as the Owen Sound Attack edged the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 5-4 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Mallory Pugh Jersey . "I have had no discussions with Chad Johnson or his representation," Popp said Friday in an email. However, he appeared to confirm a report on Twitter from TSN this week that Johnson was on Montreals negotiation list. Lindsey Horan Jersey . The senior threw for 319 yards and no interceptions in his final college game, leading No. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The agent for wide receiver Steve Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Carolina Panthers. Smiths longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just dont know when that transaction is going to take place." Fox said the Panthers have been trying to trade Smith, but expects he will ultimately be released. He said the Panthers have not asked Smith to restructure his current contract which calls for him to make $7 million under this years salary cap. Regardless of whether the Panthers cut Smith or keep him, the club will have to pay him $3 million this season as part of the three-year contract extension he signed in 2012. Smiths current contract runs through 2016. Smith took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, writing "God has a plan... sometimes it just hurts (to) find out what it is." "I will always be a Carolina panther No contract can ever change that CLT is my home and will always be my home... I love you .panthernation." Smith also wrote: "But I still have a lil bit of football left in me.... .agent89 Out." Fox said Smith, a 13-year NFL veteran, would have preferred to finish his career with Carolina, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2001. Fox said the 34-year-old Smith was "disappointed and surprised" when Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman talked about the receivers future in uncertain terms at the NFL Scouting Combines last month. "Where we are disappointed is the fact he signed an extension to stay loyal to the club and complete his career as a Panther," Fox said. "That is why we did the long-term team deal. Now we are at a crossroads where the Panthers dont want him anymore." Gettleman did not return phone calls seeking comment. Shortly after the Scouting Combine, Smith met with Gettleman at Panthers headquarrters, but Fox said the receiver left without a clear, defined role in terms of his future with the team.dddddddddddd Fox said Smith diligently rehabbed an injured knee leading up to the teams divisional play game against the San Francisco 49ers with loyalty to the team in mind, thinking his long-term future was in Carolina. Smith had four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 23-10 loss. "He spent 12 hours a day working with (trainer) Ryan Vermillion to get ready for that game," Fox said. "His goal has always been to stay a Panther." Smith is Carolinas all-time leading receiver with 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns receiving. Smith is 19th all-time in NFL history in yards receiving and 25th in receptions. Smith had 64 receptions for 746 yards and four touchdowns last season helping the Panthers go 12-4 in the regular season and capture the NFC South championship. Fox said Smith plans to continue his playing career in the NFL when the Panthers cut ties. "At 34, they could have kept him and run him in the slot," Fox said. "Steve wants to play in the slot. But he cant play the slot with the current roster, and he hasnt been able to play in the slot with the rosters in the past." Fox said hes not sure why the Panthers havent released Smith. He said he will be ready when that time arrives. "Its my responsibility to find the best place for him to utilize his skills and passion for the game," Fox said. If the Panthers release Smith he will count $5 million under this years cap. The Panthers could designate him for a June 1 release which would allow them to split that money over the next two seasons. NOTES: Panthers restricted free agent cornerback James Dockery announced on Twitter he has re-signed with the team. "Blessed! Cant be happier to be signing back with the (at)Panthers cant wait to get back with our team," Dockery said. The team has yet to announce the move. ' ' '