Nine minutes into Dallas’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, J-Kidd had seven assists. 

Jason was too much for Minnesota to contend with (Getty Images).

That was just the start of the onslaught.

After two straight losses, the Mavs took out their frustrations on an overmatched Timberwolves squad in an easy 108-88 victory. With Jason handing out dimes left and right, the Mavs ran out to a 34-18 edge in the first quarter. Minnesota never got within 10 points as the Mavs continued their sharp shooting throughout the game by hitting 55 percent from the field.

Coming into the game, Jason had said that it was on him to get his teammates involved and stop the Mavs from shooting to many jump shots. As he told Dallas Morning News:

“We’re just shooting way too many jump shots. It falls on me. We understand what we have to do. We got to play inside-out, not outside-out.”

Ball movement, catalyzed by J-Kidd, resulted in Dallas going 8-of-16 from downtown.

“The savvy future Hall-of-Fame point guard had seven assists in the first nine minutes, 11 assists by intermission and totaled 13 minutes before retiring after about three quarters. His ability to put it on a tee for teammates allowed Dallas to get its 50-30 lead in the second quarter and to shoot 54 percent in the first half.”

Jason finished the game with eight points, 13 assists, one board, and a steal.

Double-digit assists by Jason continues to be a good gauge for how the game went for the Mavs as they are 20-5 when he has 10 or more assists.

JOSH IS BACK
Josh Howard returned and had an immediate impact, partly due to Jason’s determination to get him going early.

Jason told the Mavs Blog before the game how he planned to help Josh Howard get comfortable early:

“Just try to get him an easy shot, a wide-open shot the first go-round. We’d like to get him an easy one going to the basket. Should that not happen, maybe just make sure it’s not a stressful shot.’‘

No. 5 finished the game with 14 points.

FANS CORNER
Jason continues to impress Mavs fans, as can be seen by K’s comments found on the Mavs Blog.

Posted by K:

Check this out. Next year kidd will become the player with the 3rd most made 3point shots of all time!!! He will get 125 before the season is out and next season past Glen Rice. Look at the all time list right now.

1. Reggie Miller 6,486 .395 2,560

2. Ray Allen 5,743 .398 2,284

3. Dale Ellis 4,266 .403 1,719

4. Glen Rice 3,896 .400 1,559

5. Peja Stojakovic 3,860 .403 1,556

6. Eddie Jones 4,147 .373 1,546

7. Tim Hardaway 4,345 .355 1,542

8. Nick Van Exel 4,278 .357 1,528

9. Jason Kidd 4,310 .341 1,471

One hundred made 3 pointers is a bad 3 point shooting year for Kidd! Kidd will eventually be 3rd all time. Add to that he becomes 5th all time in steals next year as well. He already has over 100 triple doubles. And you know he passes Magic this season in assists, right? Then next year he passes Mark Jackson. He will be #2 assist man of all time!!! He will never catch Stockton. Kidd has is the best PG of this generation. Top 2 if not 3 of all time!!!

Notice how almost everyone had a steal. Now that is defense!! You play it and it shows in the numbers!!! Kidd plays defense and it show in the numbers. It looks like everyone played good D tonight. Most of them have steals.

NEXT UP
The Mavs return home to face the Miami Heat at 7:30 pm CST.

RELATED STORIES
Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 88 (ESPN.com, Mar. 31st, 2009)
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In the paint, Dallas Mavericks’ picture is brighter (Dallas Morning News, Apr. 1st, 2009)
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J-Ho Return Sparks Dallas’ 108-88 Road win over T’Wolves (Dallasbasketball.com, Apr. 1st, 2009)
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Watch for early looks to Josh (Mavs Blog, Mar. 31st, 2009)
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Mavericks win big, 108-88 (Mavs Blog, Mar. 31st, 2009)
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