The Dallas Mavericks are without point guard Jason Kidd who is sitting out a scheduled rest night, and the Mavericks are doing just fine without Kidd as they lead the Portland Trail Blazers 56-41 at the half. The Mavericks got off to a fast start in the first quarter by going on a 15-4 run, and they have not trailed once.
The defense for the Mavericks has shut down the Blazers offense and is holding them to 38 percent shooting and only 3-of-12 from three-point range. Nicolas Batum is leading the way for the Blazers with 14 points and is the only Portland player shooting at least 50 percent at 5-of-8.
For the Mavericks they are being led by Dirk Nowitzki who has 17 points and Brandan Wright has come off the bench and has scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
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