[NBA Roundup] `Comeback` Kidd Helps Dallas Win in Return

Jason Kidd yesterday helped the Dallas Mavericks win their 11th straight home game in his first appearance for the team in more than 11 years.

Dallas topped the Chicago Bulls, 102-94, thanks to Kidd, who just missed a triple-double with 11 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He had left the team in 1996 after the Mavericks picked him second overall in the NBA Draft two years earlier.

Power forward Dirk Nowitzki is the Maverick last called in the starting lineup, but Kidd yesterday got the honor and drew raucous cheers from fans.

Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerry Stackhouse added 23 points.

In New Orleans, DeShawn Stevenson`s three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Washington Wizards a 95-92 win over the Hornets. The Wizards trailed 68-74 after the third quarter, but tied the game at 84 after Stevenson’s layup with 4:35 left in the game.

With seven seconds remaining and the game tied at 92, Stevenson hit his fourth three-pointer of the game to finish with 33 points.

The San Antonio Spurs beat the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 89-74. Tim Duncan led the Spurs to their sixth straight win with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

why@donga.com