Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks won their fourth straight game when they edged the Pacers 91-82 on Monday night.
The Mavs have hit the ground running since the All-Star Break, winning four of their last five games. J-Kidd said their post-break record shows character, as he told the Star Telegram:
"It just shows the character of this team and the coaching staff, to be able to have four in five nights, have no practice time and be able to win."
No. 2 had spent more than 40 minutes on the hardwood in the past three games, but only logged 27 minutes last night. The veteran has seen more court time than any other point guard in the league. He scored 10 points, six from downtown, added seven assists and pulled down three rebounds.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told ESPN that J-Kidd has been playing at a higher level:
"Jason has really been willing our team to some of these victories. He just has driven himself hard. He’s driving our team hard. Every minute he plays, he’s playing at a higher octane than most guys."
Mavericks President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson compared No. 2 to another famous signal caller from a different sport:
"He’s a basketball version of Brett Favre or any great, great quarterback," Nelson said. "He steps out on the floor and when the ball is in his hands everybody trusts and knows he’s going to make the right decision."
NEXT UP
The quarterback of the Mavericks leads his mates to face the world champion Lakers tomorrow night at 8 p.m on ESPN.
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Trade has shown positive results for Dallas Mavericks (Star Telegram, Feb. 23, 2010)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/21/1985561/trade-has-shown-positive-results.html
Kidd’s rest is the story (ESPN.com, Feb. 23, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100222/INDDAL/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0020900834