Last month was a rough ride for the Dallas Mavericks, as they managed to win only six out of their 16 games in January. However, the team remains optimistic as they gear up to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.
Dallas ended January on a disappointing note, suffering a 117-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. Despite Kyrie Irving’s impressive 28 points and P.J. Washington’s 22 points and 13 rebounds, the Mavericks couldn’t overcome Cade Cunningham’s 40-point performance and found themselves trailing by as many as 19 points.
Despite the challenges, the Mavericks will start February with a positive outlook, holding a 26-23 record for the season. They currently occupy a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, and Irving is maintaining his composure amid the adversity.
On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been enjoying a smoother ride recently. After enduring a three-game losing streak, the Cavaliers have bounced back with three consecutive victories. In their most recent outing, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks 137-115 on Thursday night, led by 26 points from Darius Garland and 24 points from Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland’s success can be attributed to their exceptional ball movement, as evidenced by their 34 assists on 53 made field goals against the Hawks. This marked the fifth straight game in which the Cavaliers dished out at least 28 assists. Head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized that this level of ball movement is a key factor in their success.
The Cavaliers showcased their high-level passing when they defeated the Mavericks 134-122 back on January 3. In that game, Garland contributed nine of Cleveland’s 38 assists.
Sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 39-9 record, Cleveland is also keeping an eye on the approaching trade deadline. According to The Athletic, the Cavaliers are interested in acquiring Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson, who is averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season. If the Cavaliers pursue Johnson, they are expected to do so without offering any members of their core roster in a potential trade.
As the Mavericks look to turn their fortunes around and the Cavaliers aim to maintain their winning streak, Sunday’s matchup promises to be an exciting and competitive game.
