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Kaman leads Hornets past Mavericks

Mar 3, 2012 - 4:32 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Chris Kaman had 20 points and 13 rebounds on Friday in the Hornets' 97-92 win over the Mavericks.

Xavier Henry added 19 points for New Orleans, which halted a two-game skid. Jarrett Jack finished with 15 points and made a fadeaway jumper with 17.9 seconds left after Dallas pulled within two, 91-89.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, have lost four straight and five of six. They were paced by Rodrigue Beaubois' 25 points. Dirk Nowitzki, who played just 10 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Memphis, had 19 points and nine rebounds.

"We have to fight our way of this," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. "The margins for error are very slim."

The Hornets were up 74-69 after three and added to the lead with an 8-1 run to start the fourth.

Solomon Jones scored four points during the burst and capped it with a 15-foot jumper to make it 82-70.

The Mavericks then reeled off 10 straight, getting a three-pointer from Vince Carter, a jumper from Nowitzki, a layup from Shawn Marion and a three-point play from Beaubois to pull within two, 82-80, with 4 1/2 minutes left.

They were still down by a pair in the final minute after Nowitzki came up with a steal and found a streaking Beaubois, who finished in transition to make it 91-89.

Jack answered, burying a fadeaway jumper near the foul line. Carter then missed a step-back three-pointer on the other end and the Hornets hit 4-of-4 free throws to seal the win.

"We were up two or three (points) and coach (Monty Williams) called a timeout," explained Jack. "I went up to him and told him I am ready and just give it to me. I don't know if he heard it, but I had the confidence in myself and my team to knock down the shot. My teammates had confidence to put the ball in my hands."

New Orleans controlled the game early, leading 25-19 after one behind 13 points from Kaman before taking a 52-46 lead into the break.

Game Notes

Dallas had won three straight over New Orleans...Nowitzki was limited with back issues on Wednesday...Earlier Friday, the Mavericks assigned forward Lamar Odom to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, mainly for conditioning purposes. He has not appeared in a game since February 20 due to a family matter.