Jason and the Mavs got their revenge against the Bucks as they scored 30 fast break points to run all over Milwaukee.

Regaining their offensive touch, the Mavs won for the 20th time this season at America Airlines Center in an easy 116-96 victory.

Scoring 100 points is always a good sign for the Mavs — they’re 23-6 when reaching the century mark.

Milwaukee got off to a fast start, but then Jason and the rest of the “nasty-defense squad” changed the momentum of the game. J. Kidd, who leads the team with 2.16 steals per game, captains this squad whose purpose is to play faster and tougher. The entrance of this team quickly triggered a 16-0 run that put the game firmly in the Mavs control.

Coach Carlisle talked about his “nasty-defense squad” with Mavs Moneyball:

“Lately, Singleton has been one of the key guys for us—energy, toughness. Kidd is always a key energy guy. Barea gives you energy. I thought George tonight gave us a dose of energy and good play when he went in the game. Bass has the capability to be an energy player. Josh is too, but he’s a starter so it’s not like he’s a guy you go to off the bench. Some nights you have to fish around and find a group that can get it going or get the crowd juiced up or whatever.”

The Bucks did make a couple of runs throughout the game, but both times J.Kidd was there to stop the bleeding. After a Bell 3-pointer brought the Bucks within 8 in the 2nd quarter, No. 2 stepped up with a pair of downtown shots to give the Mavs their cushion back. Then, when the Bucks had sliced 7 points off the lead in the 3rd, Jason hit a couple baskets that sparked an 11-0 run that effectively put an end to any Bucks resistance.

J.Kidd finished with an amazing all-around stat line of 19 points, 9 assists, 5 boards, 1 steal, and 1 block. After the game he talked with ESPN.com talked about the Mavs stepping up after their tough loss to the Spurs on Tuesday:

“It was disappointing because we didn’t feel we gave the effort. We let an opportunity slip away, but we bounced back. This is what we’ve done all year.”

LOCKER ROOM
The Mavs locker room continues to be a fun and light atmosphere after wins as this time Josh Howard was the victim of he teammates jokes.

Jason got into the joking spirit upon seeing Howard’s medallion that looked eerily like a man purse.

Hoopsworld painted the picture of the Mavs locker room best:

“Is that a purse?” quipped Matt Carroll.

“I just want to be seen next to him while he’s wearing it,” added Antoine Wright.

“Picture, if you will, a 6” by 4” rectangle with a thick gold chain attached to it, a great big “J” in silver on one side and the lone star and blue background of the Texas flag on the other.”

“Jason Kidd was quick to point out that he could wear it because his name, too, begins with “J,” while Brandon Bass joked that he was going to change his name to “Jrandon” just so he could borrow it.”

NEXT UP
The Mavs continue their home stand Friday night against the Oklahoma Thunder at 7:30 pm CST.

RELATED STORIES
Bucks 96, Mavericks 116 (ESPN.com, Feb. 25th, 2009)
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=290225006
Mavs Top Bucks: Postgame Quotes (Mavs Moneyball, Feb. 26th, 2009)
http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2009/2/26/772477/mavs-top-bucks-postgame-qu
Howard scores 27 as Mavs take care of Bucks (ESPN.com, Feb. 25th, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290225006&campaign=rsssrch&source=jason+kidd
Post-Game: Josh’s Bling Steals the Show (Hoopsworld, Feb. 25th, 2009)
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/CourtsideBlog.asp?GAME_ID=29047&LEAGUE_CODE=NBA
Donuts: Mavs 116, Bucks 96 (Dallasbasketball.com, Feb. 26th, 2009)
http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=1374