Sometimes all it takes is one.

One chance was all Jason Kidd needed in the Dallas Mavericks’ preseason finale to show that his skills and his smarts are tuned up and ready for the season.

Down by one with .4 seconds remaining and being guarded on an inbounds pass by 7-foot-6 Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, J-Kidd made a high, arching pass over Yao’s outstretched arms. The pass floated seamlessly into the waiting hands of teammate Shawn Marion, who made an easy layup just before the buzzer rang to give Dallas a 97-96 victory Friday night at American Airlines Arena.

No. 2 spoke to the Dallas Morning News after the game:

"Coach drew up a great play. Everybody knows the ball’s coming to Dirk in those situations. But once I saw Shawn get around Dirk, he was wide-open and my job was to get the ball over Yao. I had to get up a little higher, but it worked out.”

Though it was a preseason game, with the regular season around the corner, the Mavs were hungry and felt they needed a win. No. 2’s teammate Jason Terry summed up the players attitudes Thursday before the game:

"We’ve got to attack, we’re going to make this game mean something to us. And then we’ve got to get started strong in the regular season.”

Friday’s victory was as strong a statement as Dallas could make that they’re ready.

JASON TURNS IT UP
It was a particularly strong finish to the preseason for J-Kidd, who turned his intensity up in the fourth quarter.

In the process, Jason reminded fans why the Mavericks want him on the court when the game is on the line. At the end of the third quarter, No. 2 had three points and six assists. But as the fourth quarter progressed without Jason on the floor, Dallas endured a scoring drought of nearly five minutes.

Finally, with just over five minutes remaining, Dallas made it clear they wanted to finish the preseason on a high note at home. Coach Rick Carlisle decided to bring back his starters, J-Kidd, Jason Terry and Brendan Haywood. Houston answered moments later by subbing in Yao Ming and Luis Scola. Carlisle stressed the importance of victories at home:

"Opening night is something that’s important because it kind of sets a tone," he said. "We’re 0-for-2 on opening nights the last two years here. We want to get off that schneid. Home court is critical. We have to re-establish ourselves as a high, high-level home-court team.

"Last year, the road was an emphasis, and we were best in the league. This year, we have to continue to be great on the road, but we have to take care of the home court."

Dirk Nowitzki finally ended the Dallas drought by hitting his second three pointer of the preseason, and moments later, No. 2 knocked down a long one to bring the Mavs to within five. It was his second three pointer of the game.

Then, with 16 seconds remaining, Jason displayed outstanding defense and forced Houston’s Courtney Lee to take an errant shot. No. 2 quickly recovered the rebound and gave his team the possession that would eventually lead to their heart-stopping victory.

Jason finished the game with six points, nine assists, five rebounds and a steal.

NEXT UP
Jason and the Mavs stay within the friendly confines of American Airlines Arena to begin the 2010-2011 season when they face the Charlotte Bobcats. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. CST and can be seen on Fox Sports Southwest.

RELATED STORIES
Mavericks hope to become tough out at home, starting with preseason finale vs. Rockets (Dallas Morning News, October 22, 2010)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/102210dnspomavsdate.26fbe6c.html
Mavs’ last play a thing of beauty (Mavs’ Blog, Dallas Morning News, October 22, 2010)
http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/10/mavs-last-play-a-thing-of-beauty.html
Rockets beaten by Mavs at buzzer in preseason finale (Houston Chronicle, October 22, 2010)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7260370.html