By Earl K Sneed

With their team looking to rebound following back-to-back losses, the Dallas Mavericks’ two prized mid-season additions stepped in at just the right time Monday night to help lead their new squad to a much-needed victory.

Scoring 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting and grabbing five rebounds, four-time All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo aggressively set the tone while engineering the Mavericks (40-22) back into the win column following Monday’s 102-93 win at home over the New Orleans Pelicans. Meanwhile, six-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire gave the Mavs a boost off the bench, scoring 14 points on 6 of 9 from the field and pulling down four rebounds in less than 23 minutes of reserve work.

Stepping up with starters Chandler Parsons (sprained left ankle) and Tyson Chandler (left hip contusion) sidelined due to injuries, the two newcomers gave the Mavs a burst of energy. In doing so, Rondo and Stoudemire may have both also found how best they can assist the Mavericks during the final 20 games of the regular season while continuing the jelling process with a cast of new characters.

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