Jason Kidd: Top Performances for Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Playoffs Semi-Finals (Part 1)
After gunning down the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of playoffs, the resurgent Dallas Mavericks took on the two times defending champions, Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Although many people
tipped the Lakers to overwhelm the Mavs in the series, the on ground situation, turned out be completely different as the Mavericks blew away the Lakers by a 4-0 margin.
Dirk Nowitzki’s impact in the win was the talk of the town after the series, but the man who silently made inroads into the Lakers defense and made them realize their deficiency at the point guard position was Jason Kidd. Here
is an insight on how he made an impact.
Game-1: Dallas Mavericks 96 – Los Angeles Lakers 94
Dallas Mavericks were struggling big time in the first two quarters of the game, but they rushed back in the second half and overcame the mighty Los Angeles Lakers in a 96-94 win on May 2, at the STAPLES Centre, Los Angeles. Dallas
outscored the Lakers from behind the arc, as they shot 45 percent from in comparison to L.A’s 26.3 percent.
During the game Jason Kidd not only aided the Mavs on their offensive end, but also showed some solid defence. Kidd scored seven points, clutched five rebounds, wracked game-high 11 assists, made three steals and blocked one shot
too. During his 34 minutes of stay on court, Kidd shot exceptionally, as he went 2 of 4 from the field, 2 of 3 from the beyond the arc and 1 of 2 from the charity stripe.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said, "Jason Kidd is one of the few guys capable of having a possession like that against a top player. There was a reason we try to keep him off Bryant a lot of the game."
Kidd played a good defence on Kobe Bryant and kept him under his check till the end. It was Kidd, who stole the ball from Gasol with just three seconds to go and draw the foul and raise the Mavs lead to two points by hitting one
free throw. Bryant tried to trey one just before the buzzer went off, but failed to put it in.
Game-2: Dallas Mavericks 93 – Los Angeles Lakers 81
The Dallas Mavericks, who had to rush back from behind in game-1, looked aggressive right from the tip of the game and led the Los Angeles Lakers by 51-49 at the halftime and then dominated L.A throughout the second half of the
game that enabled them to seize the game 93-81. The game took place at STAPLES Centre, on May 4.
The Mavs outplayed the Lakers from the three-point range (Dallas shot 32 percent and L.A shot 10 percent) as well as from the free throw line (Dallas hit 81 percent and L.A were 55 percent). With this victory the Mavs put the Lakers
into 2-0 hole.
Jason Kidd made Dallas’ shooting look more effective, as he went 2 of 3 from the paint and hit two swishes from behind the arc. Besides this Kidd made 10 points, facilitated six assists, and grasped two boards and made one steal
too.
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