Mavericks vs Cavaliers Preview, Injury Report and Game Thread: Dallas faces the league’s best in Cleveland

Dallas may be in for a brutal homecoming

The Dallas Mavericks (20-14) return home from a four game road trip to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (29-4). Dallas is working against their first losing streak since November, coming home from their road trip losing three of four. The Cavs, meanwhile, are playing spectacular basketball, losing just one time since December first. Here’s the main things you need to know:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
• WHAT: Searching for win against the league’s best
• WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CST
• HOW: Channel 29, MavsTV, and Playback with Kirk, Matthew, and David

The injury report still stinks for Dallas, but I am going to say that when Luka Doncic is hurt, Dante Exum is recovering, and Naji Marshall is suspended. Maxi Kleber is questionable with an oblique issue. PJ Washington is listed as questionable with his knee sprain. As of this writing I have no idea if he’ll play. The Cavaliers are missing Isaac Okoro with a shoulder issue and he is the only player of note on the injury report.

At the moment, I do not see a clear path to victory for Dallas. It doesn’t mean they won’t win, just that they may need an absurd shooting game while also playing great defense on one of the league’s strongest offenses. I wouldn’t mind being surprised.

As you can tell below, you can join me and some other Mavs Moneyball guys in a room on Playback (embedded below) during the game (though I may not be able to start it until halftime). Also, consider joining Josh and I on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start around 10:30 pm. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!