The Mavericks rolled despite playing without All-Star swingman Josh Howard, serving a two-game suspension for his role in an altercation with Sacramento's Brad Miller in a preseason game.

Dallas was also missing center Erick Dampier (shoulder surgery) and forward Devean George (injured foot).

None of them was needed, as the Mavericks had little trouble with the Cavaliers, who had downplayed a 1-6 exhibition season by saying they would be ready for their opener. They didn't look like they were.

One of the few bright spots for Cleveland fans was a Sasha Pavlovic sighting. A restricted free agent, Pavlovic ended his contract holdout on Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a three-year deal.

However, Cleveland remains without frizzy-haired forward Anderson Varejao, another restricted free agent who is asking for a $9 million per year contract.

Booing, and not Halloween-related booing, ushered the Cavaliers to the locker room when they fell behind 54-34 at halftime.

James was 0-for-4 from the field when he committed his third personal foul and spent the final 6:27 of the second quarter on the bench. Without their superstar, the Cavs briefly cut Dallas' lead to 13 before the Mavericks closed the quarter with a 14-4 run.

Cleveland was still in it late in the third, but Terry drained a 3-pointer and Devin Harris hit one at the horn to give the Mavericks a 78-59 lead entering the fourth.

James arrived in costume a few hours before tipping off his fifth pro season, appropriately dressed as ''Business LeBron,'' one of the four characters he plays in his popular Nike commercials.

James, who filled up his offseason by playing with the U.S. national team and hosting ''Saturday Night Live'' among other activities, was looking forward to a pregame banner-raising ceremony to honor the Cavs' first conference title.

''It's special to us and special to the fans,'' he said. ''No one can take that away from us.''