WASHINGTON - The crash-course NBA education of Dennis Smith Jr. accelerated Tuesday night faster than one of John Wall's acclaimed baseline-to-baseline sprints.

Wall, the Washington Wizards' 27-year-old four-time All-Star, might still be the NBA's fastest player. But on this night, 19-year-old Mavericks rookie Smith blew by Wall several times and, of more importance, led the Mavericks to a 113-99 victory at Capital One Arena.

Smith scored a career-high 22 points, pulled down 8 rebounds and had 8 assists as Dallas (2-10) broke a six-game losing streak and earned its first road victory in six tries.

"Dennis Smith was a great basketball player tonight," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "He was great in all areas. He demonstrated aggression, poise, smarts and leadership. It's great to see."

Yes, the Mavericks got 31 points and 9 rebounds from Harrison Barnes and a 10-point, 12-rebound, 5-block performance from Salah Mejri. Without those performances, Dallas wouldn't have weathered Washington's rally from 90-76 entering the fourth quarter to 90-88 with 9:09 left.

But it was Smith's performance, and the mesmerizing idea that it could portend many, many more nights like this, that had the Mavericks' locker room filled with happy chatter.

"From the get-go, he was in attack mode," Dirk Nowitzki said. "From the jump, he was putting pressure on the defense. Every time down, he tried to get into the paint and make something happen."

In hindsight, Smith provided a preview last Saturday, when the Mavericks began this two-game trip with a 13-point loss at Minnesota. In the fourth quarter of that game, during which the Timberwolves' starters were reinserted, Smith scored 13 points in 10 minutes.

During Sunday's plane ride from Minneapolis to Washington, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle sat next to Smith. They reviewed tape from the Minnesota game, with Carlisle praising the times Smith attacked and pointing out opportunities he missed.

Carlisle also showed Smith videotape of two other NBA point guards and facets of their games that Smith should try to emulate, though Smith declined to reveal which players Carlisle chose.

"He was just showing me things that I can take from their game and implement into mine," Smith said. And what does it mean to him to get one-on-one tutoring from Carlisle?

"It shows that he cares," Smith said. "A lot of guys would have an assistant coach who would try to tell you things, which is always appreciated. But when you've got the head coach really being hands on with you like that, it means a lot."

It's not just Carlisle, though. Several Mavericks have played roles in the education process. There are veteran point guards J.J. Barea and Devin Harris. There is swingman Wesley Matthews, who on Tuesday night's opening play lobbed an alley-oop that Smith dunked - the same play Dallas pulled off on its first offensive possession of the season.

"When are those guys going to scout that? The 'oop?' Smith called across the locker room to Matthews, who laughed and said, "Hey, J. I hope they never scout it."

Great win tonight! S/O to bo @Dennis1SmithJr for hoopin and @50Mejri for bringing energy!! Salute to my man @Dev34Harris for being with us 🙏🏾 #MFFL — Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) November 8, 2017

Then there is Barnes, who after Tuesday morning's shootaround lightly admonished Smith, the last player on the floor, playfully throwing up extra jumpers.

"Hey, young fella, save something for tonight," Barnes said.

He did, turns out. Along with committing just two turnovers in 31:31 of court time, Smith seamlessly executed the two-man game with Barnes several times.

"Boy, it was cookin'" said Smith, who also pointed out that he and Barnes, 25, have fashioned their own handshake and almost have perfected it.

Of course, this was just one game. The Mavericks still are in a deep early season hole. And Wall did put up 23 points and 14 assists Tuesday night.

This, however, couldn't be deemed anything less than an A-plus in the ongoing education of Dennis Smith Jr., especially considering his competition.

"Nobody's going to intimidate me," Smith said. "It's just playing basketball. John, he's a really great player, one of the best point guards in the league. My focus was coming out and being as good as I could be for our team.

"Regardless of who was over there, I came in to try to lock in for the Mavericks."

As for the teacher, well, he didn't try to hide his pride for the student.

"He's worked so hard," Carlisle said. "It's been frustrating, obviously, at times, but to have it come together on the road in, really, a must-win game with where we're at, is really great to see.

"Now he's just got to duplicate it. In this league, that's what it's all about."

Twitter: @townbrad