The Dallas Mavericks hope a return home will change their recent fortunes as they host the improving San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
The Mavericks return to their home court after a 115-113 loss to the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Naji Marshall missed a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer, leading to the Mavericks’ fourth consecutive loss, all by a combined eight points.
Luka Doncic led all scorers with 37 points in the defeat. Marshall added 19 points, Klay Thompson scored 17, Quentin Grimes had 15, and Daniel Gafford contributed 10 for the Mavericks, who were without Kyrie Irving due to a strained right shoulder.
Dallas trailed by 14 points after three quarters but made a strong comeback, taking a two-point lead with 1:33 remaining before the dramatic finish. The Spurs head north after a 120-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, the first NBA Cup group play game for both teams.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Stephon Castle added 22 points. Devin Vassell scored 15 points, Keldon Johnson had 12, and Chris Paul recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The loss ended San Antonio’s two-game winning streak.
Vassell, who missed nine months with a broken foot, is still coming off the bench with a minutes restriction as he works his way back into the starting lineup. San Antonio was within a possession late in the game when Castle had to settle for a contested, step-back 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, which was rebounded by the Lakers.
San Antonio is still seeking its first NBA Cup win, having gone 0-4 in last year’s tournament.
The Spurs might have backup guard Tre Jones back in the lineup for Saturday’s game. Jones has been out since October 26 with an ankle injury.
Dallas defeated the Spurs in their first matchup this season, 120-109, at home on October 24. The teams won’t face each other again until back-to-back games on March 10 and 12 in San Antonio.
