Mavericks Return to Action Against Nets After Long NBA Cup Break
After what felt like a long pause in the NBA calendar, basketball is finally back in Dallas as the Mavericks get set to host the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams are coming off an extended break thanks to the NBA Cup, and neither side managed to advance out of group play. Still, the silver lining is that both squads were able to rest up before jumping straight into this matchup at the American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks enter this game with a 9–16 record, while the Nets arrive at 6–17. Dallas last took the floor in a win over the Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn ended its previous outing with a victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. So even though both teams sit near the bottom of the standings, they are coming in with at least some positive momentum.
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Injuries, however, continue to shape the storyline for Dallas. The Mavericks’ injury report is mostly unchanged from before the break, which is not exactly encouraging. Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and Dereck Lively remain out, with Lively now confirmed to be sidelined for the season. Daniel Gafford is still dealing with an ankle issue and is listed as doubtful, which raises concerns about Dallas’ frontcourt depth. The good news is that Cooper Flagg, who had been dealing with a thumb issue, is expected to play despite remaining on the report.
Brooklyn isn’t exactly healthy either. Several players are away on G-League assignments, and Cam Thomas is out with a hamstring strain. That limits the Nets’ scoring options and puts even more pressure on the remaining rotation to produce efficiently.
On paper, this is a game the Mavericks should control. The Nets have struggled mightily this season and have been one of the least efficient teams in the league. Dallas hasn’t been perfect, but the formula for a win has been fairly clear. If the Mavericks can take care of the basketball, compete hard on the boards, and generate just enough offense, this should be a manageable night.
Anthony Davis is expected to play a major role, and a strong performance from him could tilt the game early. On the Brooklyn side, Michael Porter Jr. is the player who draws the most attention as a potential problem, though there isn’t widespread concern about him taking over the game.
With oddsmakers favoring Dallas at home and both teams trending toward lower-scoring games, this matchup feels more like a grind than a shootout. Still, after a long break, simply having basketball back on the floor is reason enough for excitement. For the Mavericks, it’s a chance to reset, refocus, and hopefully build some momentum moving forward.
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