The game began with Jason and Dallas pushing the tempo and leading the Mavericks to a 12-point halftime lead.

JKidd v. CP3: one of the key matchups of the Dallas/New Orleans series (Getty Images.)

It ended differently, with New Orleans’ defense stopping No. 2’s penetration, shutting down Dallas offensively, and surging to a 104-92 win.

Jason nearly had his second triple double in as many games, scoring 11 points, while adding nine rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 39 minutes of play.

STAY AGGRESSIVE
In the first half the Mavs were aggressive, Jason had seven assists feeding Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki for easy baskets. The pair combined to go 11 of 13 from the free throw line as the Mavs were the aggressors on offense. As the Mavs started settling for jumpers, the lead started to slip away.

“In the first half, we got to the basket and knocked shots down,” Jason said. “In the second half, we got a little jump-shot happy. We didn’t knock those down, and they came back on the other end and capitalized. We were back on our heels.” “We shot nine jump shots in a row. If you make ‘em, it’s good. If you don’t, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your defense. At that point, we’ve got to find a way to get the ball to the basket.”

SHOOT, MAKE OR MISS
In regular season finale against the Hornets, J- Kidd exploded for 27 points, and while the Mavs aren’t expecting that kind of production from the pass-first point guard each night, he recognizes that Dallas needs his offense. As he told the Dallas Morning News:

“I have to be more aggressive,” Kidd said. “Make them or miss them, I have to take them.”

NEXT UP
No. 2 and the Mavs will look to tie the series at one, Tuesday as they prepare for game two of the seven game series against the New Orleans Hornets. The game tips at 4pm PST, and will be televised nationally on TNT.

RELATED STORIES
Dallas Mavericks face stiff test in Hornets’ defense, (DallasNews.com, Apr. 20, 2008)
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Dallas Mavericks come up half empty, drop opener, 104-92,(DallasNews.com, Apr. 19, 2008)
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