The Dallas Mavericks have lost one player for the season, but will bring back another as they make a final push for the NBA Playoffs.
One day after Lamar Odom was placed on the inactive list for the rest of the season, Jason Kidd is expected back in the lineup against the Kings on Tuesday. The Mavs went 1-3 in the last four games without Kidd and are 8-7 without him in the lineup this season. Although he is averaging career-lows in points (5.9) assists (5.2) and rebounds (4.0), Kidd is still a vital part of the team as an experienced veteran.
Head coach Rick Carlisle said Kidd will be restricted in the amount of minutes he plays, but that's nothing new. Carlisle has usually held Kidd to 30 minutes or fewer when he's healthy. On Monday, Carlisle told reporters:
"We wouldn't put him out there if there was a risk," Carlisle said. "In this situation with him coming off of being out for a week and having something that was significant, we want to phase him in the right way."
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