When it comes to trying to make the playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks are in a tough spot.
However, they are in for a pleasant circumstance in the coming days: a pair of games against the Charlotte Hornets, who are struggling and have no players. The two teams meet again on Sunday in Charlotte after their Friday night matchup in Dallas.
The Mavericks, who have been close to the playoffs in the Western Conference, need to win these crucial games.
Dallas (36-37) has lost five of its last seven games and two in a row. On Wednesday, the Mavericks suffered a contentious 127-125 home defeat to the Golden State Warriors.
Due to an incident in the third quarter, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stated his intention to file a protest over the outcome. When the Mavericks thought they should have the ball, the Warriors got an uncontested dunk off of an inbounds pass after a timeout.
The Mavericks were happy to see Luka Doncic shine in his return from a five-game absence due to a left thigh strain, despite their ire at the referees. The star guard scored 30 points while dishing out 17 assists.
The Hornets (23-51) have lost five of their last six games, the most recent of which was a 115-96 road defeat on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
By halftime, the Hornets were without guards Kelly Oubre Jr. (shoulder) and Terry Rozier (foot).
Due to guard Dennis Smith Jr.’s illness during the third quarter, the Hornets finished the game on Thursday night with a smaller bench. Seven players were still available to Charlotte as a result.
The Hornets did not have a player score 20 points for the second time in their last three games.
Since the beginning of February, guard Kyrie Irving has led the Mavericks in scoring eight times. However, Irving is questionable for Friday’s game after suffering a foot injury earlier in the week and missing Wednesday’s game. Since he was acquired by Dallas in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, he has scored 20 or more points in 12 of his 13 games.
Irving played for the Nets on New Year’s Eve and scored 28 points against the Hornets. He scored 33 points in a game on December 7 against Charlotte.
Due to illness, Tim Hardaway Jr. also missed Wednesday’s game, leaving the Dallas rotation shorthanded. He was listed as questionable to play Friday, like Irving.
Meanwhile, rookie guard Jaden Hardy, who came off the bench to score 27 points against Golden State, has provided the Mavericks with a welcome boost.
Hardy, according to Kidd, is learning when to drive and when to slow down and jump.
The Mavericks will play their final home game on Friday before playing three games from April 5-9 to end the regular season.
The Hornets’ rebounding has suffered greatly since rookie center Mark Williams’ thumb injury. By a score of 52-38, the Pelicans dominated Charlotte on the boards.
Dallas also has problems with rebounding. In their last three games, the Mavericks have been out-rebounded, including by 13 boards against the Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
