The Dallas Mavericks rallied after a stuttering start to extend their league-leading winning streak to 13 games with a 96-87 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.
Jason Kidd recorded 20 points and nine assists as the Mavs survived an off-night by Dirk Nowitzki to overturn an 18-point second-quarter deficit.
“Our defensive disposition was stronger, we were more physical and we were more alert,” Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said of his team’s third quarter performance.
Dallas (45-21) matched the Cleveland Cavaliers for the longest winning streak in the league this year and moved within two games of the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the Western Conference.
Devin Harris tallied 21 to lead New Jersey (7-57), who scored 17 of the first 20 points and looked to be on their way to a rare victory before Dallas forced their way back into the game.
Shawn Marion grabbed 13 rebounds and scored eight of his 14 points in the third period as the Mavericks took a 31-15 advantage to take control of the game.
Nursing an 87-85 edge with three minutes, nine seconds to go, Dallas ended the game on a 9-2 run.
Nowitzki finished the game just 3-for-16 from the field, but the Nets refused to take all the credit for his poor shooting.
The Mavericks were playing without guards Jason Terry, who has had facial surgery, and Jose Juan Barea, who has an ankle sprain.
Dallas brought back centers Brendan Haywood and Erick Dampier, who had missed 12 games because of a dislocated finger. Haywood was in the starting lineup and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mavs also got a boost from rookie Rodrigue Beaubois, who contributed 16 points.
Terrence Williams scored 18 and added 13 rebounds for the Nets, who have lost nine of their last 11 and need three more wins to avoid matching the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers for the league’s worst season record.
GRIZZLIES 111, CELTICS 91
The Memphis Grizzlies notched a franchise-record seventh straight road win by thrashing the Boston Celtics.
Rudy Gay scored 28 points and O.J. Mayo added 17 to lead Memphis to its first victory over the Celtics in seven tries since 2006.
Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo scored 17 points apiece for the Celtics, who suffered their equal heaviest defeat of the season.
THUNDER 98, HORNETS 83
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 29 points to lead Oklahoma City over injury-depleted New Orleans.
Russell Westbrook added 17 points and came up just shy of a triple-double for the Thunder.
The Hornets got off to a hot start in their latest return to the arena they called home for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina, but it was short-lived.
In other games it was:
• Jazz 115, Pistons 104
• Spurs 97, Knicks 87
• Heat 108, Clippers 97
• Nuggets 110, Timberwolves 102
• Bobcats 102, 76ers 87
• Kings 113, Raptors 90
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