The Mavericks completed a short exhibition season on Tuesday, giving Jason Kidd the chance to get some court time in before beginning his 18th season.
After sitting out Sunday’s exhibition opener along with teammate Dirk Nowitzki, Jason was in the starting lineup as the Mavs completed a home-and-home set with the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
In 18 minutes, Jason logged three assists and two rebounds along with a three-pointer in the 87-83 Mavericks loss.
No. 2 played all 18 of his minutes in the first half. He assisted on the Mavs’ first bucket of the game, to Shawn Marion and also logged a defensive rebound in the opening minute. He added another assist to Marion midway through the quarter to put Dallas in front 13-9.
The Mavs held a one-point lead when No. 2 lined up and knocked down his only trey to make it 22-18 with 1:39 left in the first. He added one more assist in the second quarter, dishing off to Jerome Randle for a jumper. But the Mavs trailed 47-39 at the break and rested their starters for the rest of the game.
J-Kidd called the game a dress rehearsal for the Mavs, who begin the season on Sunday at home against the Miami Heat. He said that getting some work in during the final preseason game was important because Dallas hopes to start the season fast.
"This season you’re going to be positioning yourself right from the start," Jason noted. "Those first five, six games you’ve got to be able to get off to a good start. You don’t want to climb out of a hole with 66 games."
NEXT UP
Jason and the Mavs take the court in Dallas on Sunday to begin the defense of their NBA title. Prior to the game, the Mavs will raise their 2010-2011 NBA Championship banner to the rafters at American Airlines Center. Then it’s on to the game as they host the Miami Heat in a Finals rematch. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CST and the game can be seen on ABC.
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