4 things to watch out for in Friday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns

Let’s hunt for some optimism

The Dallas Mavericks’ four-game homestand has come to an end, and so has Luka Dončić’s December.

It is very much what it is, but now the Mavs visit the Phoenix Suns. They beat the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day 110-100. They split with Denver, just like the Mavericks split with the Los Angeles Clippers, before Luka Dončić was ruled out of action with a strained left calf.

What do the Suns do well?

Well, for starters, Kevin Durant does his work in the Desert. And so do some other people whose names used to ring out. For now, this is a battle between what could have been a Western Conference finalist and what could have been an also ran.

What’s weird is the thought that the also-ran may have a couple of advantages in this matchup.

Luka’s Out

Luka is out with a calf strain, and god knows when he might be back. Meanwhile, sharpshooter Grayson Allen and guard Devin Booker are out for the Suns.

Lively crew

A last-minute addition to the Dallas injury report includes 20-year-old, second-year center Dereck Lively II. He’s listed as day to day with a hip problem.

Tea Leaves

Good luck if youre trying to bet this game, because a ton of debris is in the air. Kyrie needs to have 30 points, and his teammates need to rally to the cause in a large way.

How to watch

The Mavs at the Suns will be broadcast on local airwaves on channel 29-1 KFAA. You can also stream on MavsTV.