Top scorer Dirk Nowitzki was struggling, and the Dallas Mavericks needed points from other sources.

Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, rookie Roddy Beaubois and Shawn Marion picked up the slack.

Kidd had 20 points and nine assists, hitting 5 of 8 from 3-point range, and the Mavericks recovered from a lethargic start to match the NBA’s longest winning streak this season with their 13th straight victory, 96-87 over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night.
Butler and Beaubois each added 16 points and Marion had 14 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Mavericks equal Cleveland’s winning streak from Jan. 10-Feb. 11.
Nowitzki, who’s had 16 games this season with 30 or more points and two with 40-plus, went 3 for 16 from the field and finished with 12 points.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

The Mavericks hope to be one of the NBA’s best running teams this season, but it doesn’t work without their main runners.

Shawn Marionand Josh Howard, half of the relay team the Mavericks hope to surround Jason Kidd with, were out for the preseason opener Monday night and it was tough to get any sort of a read on the Mavericks because of it.

They were beaten by the Orlando Magic 110-105, as the shooting was poor and the fouls were plentiful at a less-than-half-full American Airlines Center.

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Marion sat out with a minor right calf injury. He likely will play Friday at Washington.

Howard, recovering from what coach Rick Carlisle called a “minor reconstruction” of his left ankle, won’t play until later in the preseason. Howard was in pain throughout last season and had off-season surgery on both his ankle and left wrist.

“He’s made steady progress,” Carlisle said. “But he has not participated in any live drills. He hasn’t actually played in a scrimmage yet. We’re getting closer to that.

“The hope is that he can play toward the latter part of exhibition season.”


Click here to read the full article – By EDDIE SEFKO of DallasNews.com

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The free agent point guard has agreed to sign a three-year contract for more than $25 million to remain with Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Mavericks. The New York Knicks were among Kidd’s suitors.

With the contract, the 36-year-old Kidd could end his career in Dallas, which is where he started in 1994. The Oakland, Calif., native was the No. 2 overall pick out of California, and he has also played for Phoenix and New Jersey. Kidd’s return helps the Mavericks as they pursue a supporting cast around Nowitzki, from not having to find a replacement to recruiting players. Kidd, who is third on the career assist list, also will continue to mentor J.J. Barea, who emerged as a solid backup last season, and raw rookie Rodrigue Beaubois, who is coming over from France.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of NBA.com

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Jason Kidd has given the Dallas Mavericks a verbal commitment that he will re-sign with the team Wednesday, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Kidd, 36, will receive a 3-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth in excess of $25 million. Kidd elected to stay in Dallas in the face of a hard push from the New York Knicks, who last week offered Kidd the most they could ($19 million over three years). Signing Kidd for more than one season would have impacted the Knicks’ efforts to amass substantial salary cap space for the summer of 2010, and they’re expected to woo Cleveland’s LeBron James and at least one other top free agent.

Click here to read the full article – By Marc Stein of ESPN.com

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