Mavericks vs Spurs Preview, Injury Update, and Game Thread: Dallas needs a win

Dallas needs to pull up from this talespin

The Dallas Mavericks (5-7) return home after a failed road trip to face the San Antonio Spurs (6-7) on Saturday night. It’s the back half of a back-to-back for the Spurs, and they’re looking for a win after falling to the Lakers on Friday night. For Dallas, it’s the first half of their own back-to-back. Dallas needs to put the Spurs away early so they can rest up before a game 22 and a half hours later against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here’s the main things to know:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz
• WHAT: Trying to win anything after a four game slide
• WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas Texas
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CST
• HOW: NBA TV, Channel 29, MavsTV, and also Playback with Kirk, Matthew, and David

The injury report is clearing up bit by bit for the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic is listed as probable with his groin issue. Kyrie Irving is not on the report at all, giving credence to the idea that the Mavericks used a shoulder issue as an out for a rest day for Irving. PJ Washington has been upgraded to questionable after missing several games due to a knee injury. Naji Marshall, one of the more reliable Mavericks, appeared on the report as questionable with an illness. As of this writing the Spurs had not submitted an injury report.

The Mavericks have to win this. Losing to the Jazz was unacceptable but losing to the Spurs in succession would make this dreadful feeling surrounding the Dallas season even worse. Let’s hope these guys play with a purpose and that Luka Doncic shakes this funk that seems to exist around his season to date.

As you can tell below, you can join me and some other Mavs Moneyball guys in a room on Playback (embed 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 10:15 pm. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!