NBA: Washington 102, Dallas 91

DALLAS, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Gilbert Arenas scored 29 points Tuesday and the Washington Wizards turned back a second-half Dallas comeback to defeat the Mavericks 102-91.

Washington, a team that won only 19 games last season, produced a surprise road victory to open the campaign against a team with high hopes thanks to the addition of Shawn Marion.

The Wizards led by 12 late in the second period but Dallas climbed within three to start the fourth quarter and a layup by Marion to open the period brought the Mavericks within a point.

Washington then went on a 10-1 run that was finished off by a layup from Arenas and the Wizards were not seriously threatened again.

Andray Blatche came off the bench to score 20 points for the Wizards and Randy Foye had 19.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 34 points but he made only 10-of-25 shots from the field. Marion scored 16 points with seven rebounds.