Peja Stojakovic is settling in with his new team, adding a valuable dimension to the Dallas Mavericks' offense. Stojakovic scored 22 points and broke a tie with Dale Ellis for fourth place in career 3-pointers as the Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 106-102 on Saturday night.
Dallas acquired Stojakovic on Jan. 24, and the 3-time All-Star wasn't in playing shape because he'd been sitting out since November. He went 1-for-11 from long range in his first three games before rediscovering his touch on Saturday night and going 4 for 6.
"I was getting good looks in the last couple of games, too, it was just that the shots wouldn't go," Stojakovic said. "It's easy to play with the guys. I get so many good looks because they draw so much attention. Tonight (Saturday), I was able make them." Stojakovic now has 1,723 career 3s and trails only teammate Jason Kidd (1,756), Reggie Miller (2,560) and Ray Allen (2,562) in NBA history. Allen passed Miller for the lead Thursday, and Kidd wouldn't mind at all if Stojakovic eventually leapfrogs him.
"That's an added dimension that we've been missing, and it just makes us deeper and stronger," Kidd said. "As long as he keeps making them, he can pass me. I'm just happy to be in the top 5."
Dirk Nowitzki also scored 22 points and Shawn Marion had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won 12 of their last 14 and eight of their past 11 games in Houston. As Stojakovic chatted with reporters after the game, Nowitzki walked by and yelled, "There's a Peja sighting, baby! There he is!"
