Dallas Mavericks 111, New Orleans Hornets 98

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks won another big game against a quality opponent, securing both the seventh seed in the lethal Western Conference and assuring a first-round playoff match-up against #2 seed New Orleans with a 111-98 win at the AAC. The win left the Mavs at 51-31, one of seven teams to finish with 50+ wins in the West.

Photo not provided by the Dallas Mavericks

In unrelated news, Jim Jackson would like to know if you're going to eat that

The Mavericks were led by a nigh-unstoppable Jason Kidd, who posted his 100th career triple-double, first since re-joining the Mavericks at this year's trade deadline. Kidd finished with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 5-for-8 on three pointers, along with ten rebounds, ten assists and just one turnover.

The rest of the Mavs seemed content to take jumpers all night, despite the fact that if they'd lost, they might have been matched against the surging Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. As a team, the Mavs attempted 27 three pointers as opposed to just 25 free throws.

Dirk Nowitzki had a particularly poor game, scoring just 12 points on miserable 4-of-16 shooting. Dirk also made just one of his six three point attempts, and steadfastly refused to go to the rim in the season finale.

Josh Howard scored 19 points, Jason Terry added 30 off the bench and Brandon Bass was an unstoppable bundle of energy when he was on the court, putting up 13 and pulling down 12.

Posted by Todd M.