The Dallas Mavericks (9-16) host the Brooklyn Nets (6-17) at American Airlines Center in a cross-conference clash that pits two middling squads against each other amid rebuilds and roster overhauls. Dallas, clinging to the 11th spot in the West, seeks to leverage its home-court edge and Anthony Davis’ interior dominance to snap a mini-slump, while Brooklyn—13th in the East—hopes Michael Porter Jr.’s scoring surge continues in a road bounce-back after a mixed December stretch. With key absences on both sides, expect a grind-it-out affair favoring the Mavs’ depth, but the Nets’ perimeter shooting could keep it within reach in a projected 115-108 Dallas win.
Venue and Game Details
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas (capacity: 18,032). The Mavs’ downtown staple has been solid this season (6-9 home), with its high-energy crowd boosting Dallas’ transition game (15.2 fast-break PPG at home).
Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT).
Broadcast: KFAA (Mavs regional), YES (Nets regional) (TV); NBA League Pass (streaming). Radio: Mavs Radio Network (103.7 FM) and Nets Radio Network (101.9 FM).
Injury Report
Both teams are banged up in the frontcourt, thinning paint battles and forcing perimeter reliance. Brooklyn misses its second-leading scorer, while Dallas’ big-man rotation is decimated by season-enders. Updates as of December 11, 2025 (5:30 p.m. ET report)—finals at 6 p.m.; monitor for Thompson’s knee status.
Brooklyn Nets (6-17)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Cam Thomas | SG | Out | Left Hamstring; Strain | Missed 7+ games; 21.4 PPG scorer—re-eval in 2 weeks after on-court start. |
| Haywood Highsmith | SF | Out | Right Knee; Surgery | Season debut pending; swelling delays re-eval (8 weeks from Oct). |
| E.J. Liddell | SF | Out | G League – Two-Way | Developmental forward; no NBA minutes this year. |
| Tyson Etienne | PG | Out | G League – Two-Way | Backup guard; impacts depth. |
Dallas Mavericks (9-16)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Dereck Lively II | C | Out | Right Foot; Surgery | Season-ending; 7 games played, full recovery by camp. |
| Dante Exum | PG | Out | Right Knee; Surgery | Season-ending since Oct; key reserve (8.2 PPG pre-injury). |
| Daniel Gafford | PF | Out | Right Ankle; Sprain | Missed last 5; rotational big (6.4 PPG)—doubtful, re-eval in 7-10 days. |
| Klay Thompson | SG | Day-to-Day | Right Knee; Soreness | Out last game; shooter (37% 3PT)—probable but limited if plays. |
| Cooper Flagg | SF | Probable | Illness | Missed 1 earlier; 17.3 PPG rookie—full practice. |
Key Player Matchups
Dallas’ revamped frontcourt (top-15 in paint points) overwhelms Brooklyn’s 24th-ranked rebounding, but the Nets’ spacing (36.2% 3PT team) tests the Mavs’ 20th-ranked perimeter D. These battles highlight efficiency edges in a foul-prone game (45 calls avg. last 5 H2H).
Nets SF Michael Porter Jr. vs. Mavs SF Cooper Flagg: Porter Jr. (25.8 PPG, 39.2% 3PT last 10) torches mismatches; Flagg (17.3 PPG, 1.5 SPG) brings rookie length—Porter’s volume (18 FGA) exploits if Flagg’s D yields (opponents 45% when guarded).
Nets C Nic Claxton vs. Mavs C Anthony Davis: Claxton (13.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.4 BPG) anchors without Thomas; Davis (projected 28+ PPG post-trade) dominates (team-high 12.1 RPG)—Brooklyn allows 50.2 paint PPG, vulnerable to AD’s rolls.
Nets SG Terance Mann vs. Mavs SG Klay Thompson (if plays): Mann (8.5 PPG, 1.2 SPG) harasses wings; Thompson (day-to-day, 18.4 PPG) stretches floors (40% 3PT)—Dallas’ transition thrives if Mann turns it over (1.8/gm).
Nets PF Noah Clowney vs. Mavs PF P.J. Washington: Clowney (13.3 PPG, 41.7 FG%) powers inside; Washington (12.5 PPG, 1.1 BPG) switches effectively—Nets’ youth tests Mavs’ vet presence.
Matchups favor Dallas’ star power, but Brooklyn’s grit could force a cover.
Team Records and Recent Form
Brooklyn fights for lottery scraps, while Dallas eyes play-in security post-Luka era shifts. Mavs face the 14th-toughest schedule; Nets the 18th.
| Team | Record | Conf. Record | Streak | Division Rank |
| Brooklyn Nets | 6-17 | 3-12 | W1 | 5th Atlantic |
| Dallas Mavericks | 9-16 | 6-9 | W1 | 4th Southwest |
Recent Form (Last 5 Games)
Brooklyn: 3-2. Wins: 119-101 vs. NOP (Dec 6, Porter Jr. 35 PTS), 113-103 @ CHI (Dec 3, Porter Jr. 33), 116-103 vs. CHA (Dec 1, Claxton double-double). Losses: 110-123 vs. UTA (Dec 4, Clowney 29), 99-116 @ MIL (Nov 29). Offense: 111.4 PPG; Defense: 109.2 allowed. Hot streak sans Thomas.
Dallas: 3-2. Wins: 122-109 vs. HOU (Dec 6, Davis 29 PTS), 118-108 vs. MIA (Dec 3, Flagg 22), 131-121 vs. DEN (Dec 1, Davis 32-13). Losses: 111-132 @ OKC (Dec 5, Hardy 23), 102-110 @ HOU (Nov 29 est.). Offense: 116.2 PPG; Defense: 113.8 allowed. Home-dominant (6-9, +2.4 margin).
Mavs’ balance edges Nets’ inconsistency.
Series History
Dallas holds the all-time advantage in this infrequent matchup (87 games since 1978), winning 6 of the last 10. Recent tilts trend competitive (avg. 215.6 PTS), with overs 5-5. Mavs swept last season’s series 2-0.
| All-Time Record | Mavs Wins | Nets Wins | Last 10 (2016-2025) |
| Mavs 53-34 | 53 | 34 | Mavs 6-4 |
Notable: Nets’ 113-109 upset (Mar 31, 2025); Mavs’ 120-101 rout (Mar 24, 2025). Road dogs 4-3 SU last 7; Mavs 5-2 ATS home vs. BKN.
Betting Trends
Mavs 8-16-1 ATS (4-10 as 7+ fave); Nets 9-13-1 ATS (6-7 as dog). Series: Unders 6-4 last 10; home faves cover 55%.
Game Odds
Brooklyn Nets 221.5
Dallas Mavericks – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 11, 2025
