Woodson takes the hit as Kidd, Mavs stun Hawks

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mavericks guard Jason Kidd stole one from the Hawks and nearly took out coach Mike Woodson in the process.

Kidd made three consecutive 3-pointers as the Mavericks overcame a nine-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation and then dominated overtime for a 111-103 victory.

The Mavericks scored the first seven points of overtime to run their winning streak to six games. Starting forward Caron Butler (medication reaction) sat out for Dallas, but Dirk Nowitzki’s 37 points and Kidd’s triple-double were too much for the Hawks.

Kidd had 19 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds. He stunned the sixth sellout crowd of the season at Philips Arena with his late shooting and angered Hawks fans with his tactics against Woodson.

With 1:37 to play in regulation and the Hawks leading 97-95, Kidd saw Woodson standing on the court near the Hawks’ bench. Kidd quickly made a line for Woodson, threw out his left arm collided with Woodson as the coach tried jump out of the way.

After a discussion among game officials, Woodson was called for a technical foul for interfering with play on the court.

“This is one for the ages,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a smarter player in this league than Jason Kidd.”

Woodson said he thought one official was going to rule Kidd out of bounds. Woodson briefly viewed a replay of the incident before meeting with reporters and said it appeared he was off the court when Kidd reached across the boundary to make contact.

“He made a heck of a play,” Woodson said. “Jason Kidd is an All-Star, a Hall of Fame guard, and he’s had a hell of a career. He did what he had to do.

“I’ve got to take the hit on that. I shouldn’t have been on the floor.”

After Kidd ran into Woodson, he woofed at the coach, and Woodson responded in kind as Hawks players, officials and Mavericks coaches intervened.

“It was a big deal,” Hawks guard Joe Johnson said. “He just blatantly ran into our coach. I’ve never seen that.”

As play continued, Hawks fans near the court jeered Kidd, who shrugged his shoulders and told them: “Hey, it’s a smart play.” He made the free throw to cut the Hawks’ lead to 97-96.

After Johnson missed a shot, Kidd made a 3-pointer for a 99-97 Mavs lead with 56.4 seconds left. Hawks center Al Horford tied the score with a basket, and Kidd missed a desperation follow of Nowitzki’s miss at the buzzer.

The Hawk said Kidd’s collision with Woodson and the technical foul shifted the game’s momentum.

“It kind of changed the game, but that’s not what lost the game for us,” Johnson said. “They went zone, and we couldn’t get no continuity on offense.”

The Hawks led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, but stalled when the Mavericks switched to the zone. After Jamal Crawford’s layup gave the Hawks a 90-79 lead, they missed five of their last eight shots in regulation and 10 of 12 attempts in overtime.

But that’s not what’s memorable about this game.

“Coaches are always on the floor, but nobody tries to run into them,” Johnson said. “I might have to try and do that.”