Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to their eighth straight victory last night in an 89-84 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.

J-Kidd finished a complete performance with seven assists, five points, five rebounds and a steal. The victory was the second half of a back-to-back, but that hasn’t stopped Jason and the Mavs from rolling through their schedule

No. 2 told the Star Telegram how he’s been able to keep up with back-to-back games against the top teams in the NBA:

"It’s all mental," Kidd said. "I don’t know where my body is. But you get out there and just decide to get the job done."

NO KIDD-ING
Prior to the game, Bobcats coach Larry Brown met with a group of reporters to talk about the Mavericks.

Brown, of course had many concerns as he brought his team out to face the red-hot Mavs, but his paramount worry was very tongue-in-cheek:

"Yeah," Brown said. "I’m going to stay out of Jason Kidd’s way."

Brown was, of course, referring to J-Kidd’s heads-up play to draw a technical foul on Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson, for standing on the court while the ball was in play. Brown remained in the coaching box on Monday night, but that didn’t stop No. 2 from helping his team rack up another W.

FANTASTIC FEBRUARY
As Dallas turns the calendar to what they hope will be a Maverick March, there’s no debate that J-Kidd got the job done in February.

In just one month, Jason improved his season average to 10 points per game. He averaged 12.8 points per game in February, more than four points higher than his November and December averages.

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told ESPN that No. 2 has made the Mavericks more dangerous because he presents another scoring option for the multi-faceted Dallas attack:

"He’s made himself a threat this year on a consistent basis," Carlisle said. "He’s taking the ball to the rim more, he’s looking for mid-range shots, the 3-point shot he’s been aggressively stepping into the last two years, so he understands the balance and I think he also understands by being a threat it really balances out our game and opens things up for other guys."

DIRK THE CLOWN
With the Mavericks playing so well, it’s offered an opportunity for reporters to see and explore the lighter side of the team:

Mark Francescutti of the Dallas Morning News sat down with J-Kidd and forgot about statistics and strategy for a moment, focusing on which Mavericks make their teammates shake their heads

When asked who the funniest Maverick is, No. 2 didn’t think twice.

"Oh, there’s no doubt—Dirk Nowitzki … People don’t really get to see Dirk but on the basketball court; but he’s the biggest clown. He has a great personality. You got Dirk and Matt Carroll, those two are fighting for that No. 1 spot."

Francescutti then asked who the worst dressed Maverick is:

"That might be Dirk, again (laughter) ah, I’m just teasing … I don’t know, guys pretty much now with the dress code, you can’t be a bad dresser."

To read what else J-Kidd had to say about his teammates, click here.

NEXT UP
The Mavericks push for their ninth straight win tomorrow night at the American Airlines Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. CST. Catch the game on Fox Sports Network.

RELATED STORIES
Mavericks overcome weariness to beat Bobcats (Star Telegram, March 2, 2010)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006836/mavericks-overcome-weariness-to.html
Charlotte coach Larry Brown: ‘I’m going to stay out of Jason Kidd’s way’ (Dallas Morning News, March 2, 2010)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/030210dnospomavsnotess.169457b1c.html
Jason Kidd on the funniest Maverick, worst dresser and why playing more minutes is better (Dallas Morning News, March, 1, 2010)
http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/03/jason-kidd-on-the-funniest-maverick-wors.html
Mavericks at Bobcats Boxscore (NBA.com, March 2, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100301/DALCHA/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0020900886