Dallas looks to snap the Kings three-game win streak
The Dallas Mavericks finish up their three game homestand by hosting the Sacramento Kings Monday night in Dallas. The Mavericks are coming off a blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, while the Kings are riding a three-game winning streak after beating the Rockets on Saturday.
Dallas will once again be shorthanded, as all three of their centers in Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively are still out with their long-term injuries. While the injury report hasn’t been released at the time of writing, PJ Washington is likely doubtful to play after he was shutdown after 15 minutes against the Bucks on Saturday, clearly still not over his right ankle sprain from a few weeks ago.
The Kings will also be missing their starting center, as Domantas Sabonis has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the opening moments of the Kings win against the Rockets on Saturday.
This is a huge standings game — the Mavericks and Kings are virtually tied right now, with both teams a half-game back of the seventh place Golden State Warriors and sixth place Los Angeles Clippers. A win against the Kings would help separate the Mavericks a little bit in the play-in race. Here’s what to watch for.
Can Kyrie keep it up?
Kyrie Irving has been a box score monster since the team returned from All-Star break — Irving has 30 or more points in three of the Mavericks five games since the schedule resumed, and has seven steals and seven blocks across the five games. While the endline production has been incredible, his efficiency has struggled, shooting 44 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three.
Those shooting numbers aren’t awful, but far from the standard Irving has set for himself as one of the league’s best shooters. It’s no surprise Irving has less room to operate without Luka Doncic and no Anthony Davis, so the Mavericks have to find some ways to get Irving easier looks. The problem is Irving is really the only reliable ball handler on the roster right now, so having Irving take some possessions off the ball to engineer some catch and shoot looks is difficult as Spencer Dinwiddie, Dante Exum, and Jaden Hardy have struggled to run offense while Irving either rests or tries to spot up.
The Kings don’t have a fearsome defensive backcourt, aside from Keon Ellis coming off the bench, so there is room for Irving to do some damage even if he’s on the ball for most of the game. Dallas will never every bucket they can get with all the injuries.
Can the Mavericks box out Valanciunas?
With no Sabonis in the lineup, backup center Jonas Valanciunas will get the start at center for the Kings. Mavericks fans are no strangers to Valanciunas’ game, as the veteran big man has ate up Dallas’ front courts in past matchups, regardless of what team he was on.
Valanciunas did jus that Saturday against the Rockets when he stepped in for the injured Sabonis. He finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, five offensive. Dallas will be without all three of their main centers and likely without PJ Washington, so the makeshift frontcourt will once again be tested. Can the Mavericks keep Valanciunas off the glass and limit the second-chance-point damage? It’s extremely doubtful they will, but if the Mavericks want to find a way to win this game, limiting Valanciunas impact will be huge. Perhaps new Mavericks two-way big man Kai Jones will be ready to be thrown feet first into the fire.
Who’s guarding DeRozan?
If PJ Washington doesn’t suit up, that means the Mavericks will be down one of their best wing defenders against a team with two fantastic scoring guards in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. DeRozan had 42 points against the Mavericks the last time these two teams played a few weeks ago, nailing the game-winner in overtime to send the Kings home with a win.
Without Washington, this will be a huge game for new Maverick Max Christie, who is probably the only player left on the roster with the size and quickness to handle the DeRozan assignment. The Kings will likely hunt Klay Thompson, but Thompson has shown capable on the defensive end in moments, so a big night for him on that end of the floor will be crucial. Dante Exum will likely be counted on to chase LaVine around screens, while Christie will be getting physical with DeRozan. It’s not an ideal matchup for Dallas, but the Mavericks will have to stop those two from going off.
How to watch
The game will tip-off shortly after 7:30 p.m. CST in Dallas, and can be watched locally on KFAA and WFAA, or the MavsTV streaming service. If you’re outside of the DFW market, of course you can watch on NBA League Pass.