04/23/2008 - 18:59
New Orleans Woes Continue
by Aaron Sobel

Looking for a split in New Orleans, Jason came out pushing the tempo and distributing the ball with a bucket and three early assists in the first quarter.

Then things took a turn for the worse, much as they did in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs' opening round.

New Orleans quickly tightened up the defense, and stopped No. 2’s penetration -- and the Mavs offense -- as they cruised, 127-103.

As he always does, Jason did some of everything, scoring seven points, along with four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in 31 minutes of play.

DEFENSE
The Mavs have really struglled defensively in the series, and not just staying in front of Chris Paul. On Tuesday, David West repeatedly hit from mid- range (11-17, 27 points, while Peja Stojakovic has been just as devastating from long range going 9-15 so far in the series.

The Star-Telegram caught up with J-Kidd to ask about the Mavs Defense:

“We’ve shown that we can defend and we’ve shown that we can give up a lot of points, so we have to find that team that was defending,” said Jason Kidd, “We have it in us, so now it’s a matter of us being able to do it.”

PENETRATE OR SHOOT?
A lot has been made on whether No. 2 should be more aggressive with his shot, or continue to look for his teammates. Coach Avery Johnson spoke with the Star-Telegram about maintaining that balance:

“I think that balance is over now,” Johnson said. “We want him to play like he played in that last home game against New Orleans.”

In that game, Kidd took more 3-pointers [eight] and made five, the same number of shots he took in Game 1, when he finished 3-for-5—2-for-2 on 3s—with eight points.

“We’re not saying every shot is going to go in, but just with that aggressive take-it-to-you attitude every possession down the court that he has an opportunity,” Johnson said. “So hopefully trying to strike that balance is over.

NEXT UP
Jason and the Mavs head home looking to even up the series against the Hornets who lead 2-0 at the moment. The game will tip at 5pm PST on Friday, and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

RELATED STORIES
Right now, it looks bad for Dallas Mavericks … and Avery, (DallasNews.com, Apr. 23, 2008)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/...
MAVERICKS NOTES: Technically, who has Dirk’s back?, (Star-Telegram, Apr. 22, 2008)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/596190.html
MAVERICKS PLAYBOOK: Mavs need some breaks, need to make them fast (Star-Telegram, Apr. 23, 2008)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/598939.html
Dallas Mavericks are Paul-mauled again, (Star-Telegram, Apr. 23, 2008)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/598660.html
Mavs-Hornets Box Score, (NBA.com, Apr. 22, 2008)
http://www.nba.com/games/20080422/DALNOH/boxscore.html

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