<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>SAN ANTONIO -- When the dust finally settled on another scintillating matchup between powerful in-state rivals, late whistles, missed chances and controversy dominated Jason Kidd's first ride into town in his second stint as the Mavericks' point guard. Kidd, the All-Star acquired to create shots for his teammates, wasn't even involved in the Mavs' frantic final possession with 34.5 seconds left and them needing two points to tie. Left to stand in front of the bench as Avery Johnson spread the floor with shooters, Kidd could only watch as Dirk Nowitzki missed two jumpers and Jason Terry's last shot was blocked by Bruce Bowen. Behind 31 points from Tim Duncan, the Spurs held on for a grueling 97-94 victory on their home court Thursday and moved two games ahead of the transitioning Mavs in the Southwest Division standings. "I felt we had some good looks down the stretch, but we couldn't come up with the big play to tie," said Nowitzki, who finished a grinding night with 28 points, 17 coming on free throws. "But I think we had our chances."</div> Source
