The Dallas Mavericks aim for their sixth consecutive win when they visit the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.
Dallas secured their ninth victory in 10 games by defeating the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night, advancing to the knockout round of the NBA Cup.
The Wizards have lost 15 straight games, following an 118-87 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, which left them 0-4 in Cup play and eliminated them in the group stage for the second consecutive season.
Despite having more turnovers (11) than made baskets (10) in the third quarter against the Grizzlies, the Mavericks rallied from a 15-point, fourth-quarter deficit to secure the win.
Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 points off the bench, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to give Dallas a 116-111 lead with 1:09 left. The Mavericks ended the game on a 15-5 run. Dinwiddie shot 5 of 10 in 25 minutes, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Dallas overcame 25 turnovers and 14 missed free throws.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 37 points, adding 12 rebounds and four steals. He shot 11 of 22 from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point range. P.J. Washington scored 18 points, and Dereck Lively II contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.
The Wizards struggled against the Cavaliers, suffering their most lopsided loss of the season. Washington is one loss away from tying the franchise record of 16 straight defeats (set twice, most recently last season).
Jonas Valanciunas, Jordan Poole, and rookie Bub Carrington each scored 13 points for Washington, with Valanciunas also grabbing 11 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Washington committed eight first-quarter turnovers, trailing 35-20 after 12 minutes. The Wizards cut the deficit to 10 in the second quarter before the Cavaliers went on a 10-0 run.
The Wizards shot 38.6 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from three-point range while committing 21 turnovers.
In addition to the loss, Washington dealt with injuries. Rookie forward Kyshawn George and guard Corey Kispert both sustained sprained left ankles in the second quarter and were ruled out. Guard Malcolm Brogdon exited in the third with right knee soreness.
The Mavericks won both meetings between the teams in the 2023-24 season, securing a 130-117 victory in Washington behind 31 points from Tim Hardaway Jr., and a 112-104 win in Dallas with Doncic and Kyrie Irving each scoring 26 points.
