"Of all the close games the Mavericks have won in recent years - and their number of consecutive one-point wins is at nine in a row and counting - this one was the strangest.They won it with a defensive stop.No, that's not a typo.Shawn Marion, clutch on the defensive end all night, deflected Caron Butler's 15-foot jumper as the final seconds were evaporating and the Mavericks escaped the Verizon Center with a 94-93 victory over the Washington Wizards.The final defensive shut-down made up for some casual defensive moments earlier. The Mavericks were outscored 6-0 in the last minute, yet hung on to win and go to 2-1 on the Nor'easter road trip that opened with a loss at Toronto."After the big win in Boston, we didn't want to give one away," said Jason Kidd, who had his second consecutive monster game. "We kind of backed up that win and validated it."And to win it on a defensive possession - in the past, you wouldn't say that about the Mavericks. Shawn made a great play."The Mavericks got 15 assists from Kidd and even one of his missed shots, a floater with 1:10 to play that drew nothing but air, was jammed back in by Erick Dampier for what would be the winning points.Since 2007, this makes nine consecutive one-point decisions that the Mavericks have won, tying them for the second-longest streak in NBA history behind the St. Louis Hawks of the late '50s and early '60s."It's a testament to our veteran leadership," said Jason Terry, who started for an ill Josh Howard and had 21 points. "We got guys who have played in big games and tough, close ballgames."Marion's was the last of nine blocks on the night. That it came down to that was a bit disappointing.The Mavs had led most of the way, but were stuck in a nail-biter at the end, down 81-80 with six minutes left."