The Dallas Mavericks (9-16) host the Brooklyn Nets (6-17) following a long break due to the NBA Cup. Neither team made it out of group play, so they got to rest and then play one another… which isn’t the worst outcome! Dallas last beat the Houston Rockets while the Nets beat the New Orleans Pelicans the last time they saw the floor.
Here’s the main things you need to know before the game kicks off.
Somehow the Mavericks injury report is oddly unchanged since before the break. Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and Dereck Lively are out, with the last guy getting downgraded to being out for the season. Daniel Gafford is still on the report with the ankle injury as doubtful. That’s concerning. Cooper Flagg remains on the report due to his thumb but he’s playing. The Nets have a few guys on assignment in the G-League and Cam Thomas is out due to a hamstring strain.
There’s not a ton that’s worth chatting about this game before hand. The Nets aren’t good. They’re more inefficient at things than the Mavericks have been all season. The path to a Dallas win is playing how they have been: controlling the ball, competing on the boards, and getting enough offense to outlast their opponent. Anthony Davis should have himself a game, but you never know. Michael Porter Jr. is the main Net I’m worried about but I’m not that worried.
Consider joining Josh and I on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start around 10:15 pm. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
