Some people would say a favorable schedule is the main reason for the Mavericks’ recent run of 8 wins in 9 games, I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that. Just a week ago they beat the defending champions Nuggets at home, plus during this stretch they also have notable wins over Miami and Golden State. Tonight’s match-up with the Kings will be another big test for Luka Doncic and co. as the Mavs have lost both meetings against them this season. Dallas has issues on the inside against Domantas Sabonis, he’s torched them for an average of 24.5 points and 12 rebounds per game in the 2 meetings earlier. It’s not just him though, De’Aaron Fox is putting up 32 points and 6 assists per game, so it’ll come down to whether or not the Mavericks can defend the Kings’ dynamic duo.
That dynamic duo has Sacramento currently 6th in the West standings with an identical record as Dallas, so tonight’s game carries a ton of weight. A potential win clinches the regular season series for the Kings, plus they’ll move 1 more game close to the Clippers in 5th after their loss to Indiana last night. That sounds all well and good, but let’s not forget that the Kings will be playing on a 2nd night of a back-to-back following last night’s win over Philadelphia. The three-point shooting has suffered ever since Kevin Huerter went down with his injury, against the 76ers the Kings made just 10 threes which would be far too low against a team like Dallas. Sacramento will be basing its optimism on the fact that they’re 5-1 SU in their last 6 games vs West opponents.
