It took an extra frame, but Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks joined elite company on Wednesday night.

The Mavs collected their 50th win of the season with a 106-102 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. Dallas became the fourth team in NBA history to reach 50 wins in 10 consecutive seasons.

J-Kidd powered up late in the game for a few momentum-shifting plays. With the game tied up at 90 and just 17 seconds left in regulation, it was Jason’s duty to guard the seemingly unstoppable O.J. Mayo.


Jason drives past O.J. Mayo (Getty Images).

Mayo couldn’t find a way around No. 2, so he went up for a jumper with one second left in the game – and so did Jason, doing enough to alter it. The ball didn’t even touch the rim, sending the game into overtime.

Teammate Brendan Haywood told DallasBasketball.com that Jason set the defensive tone in the win.

"Down the stretch Jason Kidd did a great job on OJ Mayo; he did a great job on Rudy Gay, anybody we asked him to play he did a great job on," Haywood said. "When Jason Kidd’s playing great D like that, we all pretty much follow suit."

No. 2 finished the night with 12 points – all from downtown – and grabbed 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Haywood said the Mavs were able to stick it out through overtime because of the veteran leadership on the team, as he told DallasBasketball.com.

"We don’t lose our composure because we got a great veteran group," Haywood said. "Dirk, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry—they’ve been through so many wars that they don’t get frustrated. They know to stay the course, keep sticking to the game plan, and if you do that, things will normally work out well for you."

NEXT UP
The top team in the Southwest plays the second of back-to-back games tonight against the Southeast leading Orlando Magic. Game time is 7 p.m. CST and the action can be seen nationwide on TNT.

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