The Dallas Mavericks have spent all season searching for consistency on the offensive end and they just may have found it in the 129-101 dismantling of the Toronto Raptors.

Offensive stability has been a hot topic thus far in the season with the Mavericks adding six new faces to the roster and trying to temporarily replace an injured Josh Howard, who sat out the entire preseason and the first five games while recovering from ankle and wrist surgery on his left and and wrist during the offseason. 

Those issues were quickly forgotten, however, as the Mavs shot a scorching 62.4 percent from the floor.

Howard looked tender during the first few minutes of the game but quickly got in a groove after hitting a pair of jump shots.  Once Howard regained his confidence, he began aggressively attacking the basket, an issue he wanted to make sure he forced.

"I'm not going to fall into the shooting guard thing, as far as shooting the ball all the time," Howard said.  "I'm going to continue to play my game and get to the basket, drawing fouls, [and] go to the line."

Something that seemed to be lacking during the first few games for the Mavs, besides the sporadic offense, was the lack of energy. 

Howard is first in the league in terms of offensive production in the first quarter, with LeBron James following closely behind.  Howard's ability to energize the Mavs starting five was vital in the teams win over Toronto tonight and Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle recognized his efforts after the game.

"Josh was aggressive, which he is, its his nature," Carlisle said.  "Josh is definitely one of our high energy guys." 

Dirk Nowitzki continued his offensive assault shooting 12-for-20 from the floor, adding 29 points, and fell one rebound shy of a double-double.   Nowitzki leads the Mavs in scoring in five of its last six games. 

With Howard's ankle visibly bothering him from soreness, Shawn Marion picked up right where Howard left off going 9-for-9 at one point in the game and finished with 18 points and eight rebounds adding a pair high-flying dunks that electrified the crowd. 

Marion is known for his defensive tenacity to go along with his fast paced, above-the-rim style of play but his defensive presence is catalyst to his offensive production. 

"Defense, everything starts on the defensive end," Marion said.  "We're trying to make it known that we're playing defense and the more we keep playing defense and getting stops its going to help fuel our offense even better."

The big offseason discussion was how Howard was going to adjust to switching roles to the shooting guard position as Marion would take the shooting forward position. 

Carlisle said the whole process of getting Howard back from injuries and onto the floor would include learning how to play the two guard but Howard felt different about his new role.

"Actually, hope those defenders learn how to guard a three-man," Howard said.  "Its not me changing up my game, you won't see me coming off too many screens pulling up jump-shots."