With only a few weeks left within the common season, the Dallas Mavericks have lots to play for nonetheless within the tight Western Convention standings. With a 39-29 file, they sit in seventh as of this writing, the identical file because the eighth seeded Phoenix Suns. Whereas a high 3 spot is probably going out of attain this late into the season, staying out of the play-in bracket could be very a lot nonetheless in play. They’re simply 3.5 again of the 4th seeded Clippers and truly have a greater file than the 38-28 sixth seed Sacremento Kings, whom they play on the street twice earlier than March involves a detailed. Due to some late sport heroics from stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas is coming off what’s undoubtedly their greatest win because the All Star break, a 107-105 victory at residence over the defending champion Denver Nuggets, however they’re nonetheless simply 7-6 since that break.
For the San Antonio Spurs, each win is an enormous win in what has been one other attempting season. Sunday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets doesn’t imply a lot for the Spurs so far as the standings go, however it might imply every part so far as their mentality goes. Wins have been few and much between this season, so choosing one up is a reminder of the aim of this course of that they’re at present present process because the rebuild strikes alongside. Actually again residence on the Frost Financial institution Heart tonight after 2 video games in Austin, hopefully Victor Wembanyama and the boys get grasping and are capable of make it two straight with a win over a workforce with every part to play for.
San Antonio Spurs (15-53) vs Dallas Mavericks (39-29)
March 19 2024 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey, out for the 12 months,
Mavericks Accidents: Brandon Williams, wrist (OUT), Josh Inexperienced, ankle (OUT)
What to look at for
Luka Doncic is having arguably his finest season ever. He leads the NBA in scoring this season with a career-high 34.4 factors an evening on the very best capturing percentages of his profession and can be averaging nearly 10 assists per sport as nicely (9.7). Because the cherry on high, he’s flattening 9 rebounds an evening, placing him simply out of attain of averaging a triple double. If Dallas have been preventing for high 3 seeding somewhat than to simply keep away from the Play-In, he’d most likely be on the high of most pundit’s MVP rankings this late into the season.
Kyrie Irving, a infamous Spurs’ killer, had a buzzer beater for the ages Sunday afternoon with the lefty hook shot that he threw as much as hand Denver simply their 2nd loss because the All Star break. Offensively, the 12 12 months guard stays able to doing just about no matter he pleases on the basketball court docket, however it’s at all times felt as if he might get damage at any second. Dallas will want him wholesome down the stretch in the event that they need to keep away from the Play-In event and make any form of noise within the playoffs.
In two video games in opposition to Dallas this season, together with his rookie debut, Victor Wembanyama is averaging 20/7/3 in 25 minutes of motion. He performed 27 minutes of their most up-to-date assembly on Valentine’s Day, placing up 26/9/5 in addition to 3 blocks in what was a 116-93 drubbing by the Mavericks on their residence flooring. After having his 9-game double double streak damaged within the loss to the Nuggets final Friday, he additionally has an opportunity to start out a brand new one tonight after getting again on monitor with 33 and 15 in opposition to Brooklyn.
Tim Hardaway Jr’s enjoying time has been up and down over his final 10 video games, however he’s the sort of participant who might get sizzling in a rush if head coach Jason Kidd has him on the market. Hardaway Jr performed simply quarter-hour in Dallas’ win over the Nuggets and has solely performed greater than 20 minutes twice in his earlier 10 video games.
For the Mavericks fan’s perspective, please go to Mavs Cash Ball.
When you’d wish to, you might observe together with the sport on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or go to our Sport Thread!
