Jason Kidd and Antoine Wright celebrated the first anniversary of their trade from the New Jersey Nets a day early Wednesday, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-98 victory over their former team.
Kidd opened the game with three early 3-pointers and scored 23 points, one shy of his season high. He also had 10 assists and a quick-handed steal against Devin Harris - the youngster he was dealt for - during the game-breaking third quarter. Wright hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 of his 20 points in the period.
Josh Howard had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and nine rebounds for Dallas, 7-2 since Kidd was put in charge of the offense. New Jersey lost its fourth straight, all by at least 15 points.
Lakers 129, Warriors 121
At Oakland, California, Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, and Pau Gasol added 24 points and 13 rebounds, as Los Angeles rallied past Golden State for its 13th victory in 15 games.
Lamar Odom scored 22 points for the Lakers, who have improved the NBA's best record to 44-10 with back-to-back wins following the all-star break. Los Angeles trailed late into the fourth quarter, but made a 17-3 run beginning with back-to-back 3-pointers by Trevor Ariza, who finished with 17 points.
Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette scored 24 points apiece for Golden State.
Hornets 117, Magic 85
At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 36 points and 10 assists as New Orleans handed Orlando its worst loss of the season.
Rasual Butler added 15 points, and David West had 14 for the Hornets, who've won their first two games following the weekend's break.
Rashard Lewis had 17 points, and J.J. Redick 14 for Orlando, which shot poorly from the field and free-throw line. Dwight Howard had 12 points and was a non-factor for most of the last three quarters, when he scored only two points.
Timberwolves 111, Heat 104
At Miami, Sebastian Telfair had 30 points and eight assists and Ryan Gomes added 20 points as Minnesota hit a season-high 14 3-pointers to spoil Jermaine O'Neal's debut in Miami.
Minnesota blew an 11-point lead with 10 minutes remaining, but recovered in time largely thanks to Telfair, who hit a 3-pointer with 1:26 left for a four-point lead - and the Timberwolves held on to snap a five-game slide.
Dwyane Wade finished with 37 points and 12 assists for Miami. O'Neal, who sustained a right eye injury in the third quarter and missed 13 minutes, had 13 points in his first game since being acquired from Toronto last week.
(Agencies via China Daily February 20, 2009)
