Bodog Beat

Jason Kidd delivers a ball past Mike Conley Jr. Friday night. (AP Images)

Dirk Nowitzki loved having Steve Nash on his team. He may like Jason Kidd just as much.

In his second game with the Mavericks since being traded from New Jersey, Kidd had 15 assists and stoked an attack that shot 50 percent from the floor in a 98-83 demolition of the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night.

Nowitzki was 9-for-10 from the floor, thanks to Kidd’s passing skills, and finished with a game-high 27 points to lead Dallas on the road. Last year’s NBA MVP could be in for a big finish to the season because he will be playing with an elite point guard, a luxury he hasn’t enjoyed since Nash left for Phoenix.

The Mavericks covered the point spread, which favored them by 9.5, and also dolled out a season-high 32 assists on the night.

In other NBA action on Friday:

Houston 100, New Orleans 80: The winning streak hit 11 for the Rockets, who got 34 points from Tracy McGrady and 28 from Yao Ming. Houston backers also benefited from getting their team as an underdog on the road. New Orleans was favored by four but was blown out by the red-hot Rockets. Houston led 51-35 at the half and dominated behind their dynamic duo. Yao added 14 rebounds.

Cleveland 90, Washington 89: LeBron James had 33 points and 15 assists as the Cavaliers held on for a road win. James hit two free throws with 7.8 seconds to play to seal the win. Cleveland played with only eight players because Ben Wallace and the others who were added in a trade on Thursday had yet to arrive. Washington beat the four-point spread.

Detroit 127, Milwaukee 100: Chauncey Billups scored 21 points and added 12 assists to power the Pistons at home, where they were favored by 13.

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