Upcoming Matchup: Mavericks vs. Spurs
In a forthcoming matchup, the Dallas Mavericks, currently struggling, will welcome the San Antonio Spurs to their home court on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EST. The Mavericks, holding a record of 19 wins and 31 losses and positioned 12th in the Western Conference, are eager to snap a streak of four consecutive losses at home. In contrast, the Spurs boast a solid 34-16 record, ranking second in their conference, and are seen as 6.5-point favorites according to BetMGM sportsbook, with an over/under line set at 224.5 points.
Team Performance Overview
The Mavericks have encountered difficulties this season, particularly against division rivals, registering only three victories out of ten contests. Nevertheless, Dallas stands out for its defensive rebounding prowess, ranking third in the league with an average of 35.0 defensive boards per game, largely thanks to P.J. Washington’s contributions, who averages 5.7 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Spurs have fared well against teams within the Southwest Division, sporting an 8-3 record in these matchups. Offensively, San Antonio is strong, averaging 116.9 points per game, which places them fifth in the Western Conference, along with a shooting percentage of 47.2%. Notably, they are also proficient beyond the arc, averaging 12.9 three-pointers made per game—slightly surpassing the Mavericks’ defensive allowance in this category.
Previous Encounter
These two teams recently clashed earlier in the season, with the Spurs emerging victorious in a resounding 125-92 win on October 23. During that contest, rising star Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with an impressive 40 points, while Washington was the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 17 points.
Individual Performances
As both teams head into this matchup, individual performances have been noteworthy. For the Mavericks, Cooper Flagg has been making waves with his averages of 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while Klay Thompson has been impressive with an average of three made three-pointers over his last ten outings. Conversely, the Spurs are buoyed by the scoring ability of Stephon Castle, who shoots at a 45.0% success rate, contributing 16.5 points per game. Additionally, Julian Champagnie has been active from the perimeter, averaging 2.9 three-pointers in recent contests.
Recent Form and Injury Reports
In terms of recent form, the Mavericks’ last ten games yielded a mixed record of 4 wins and 6 losses, scoring an average of 117.1 points per game, while their opponents netted 115.0 points. Meanwhile, the Spurs conclude their recent stretch with a 7-3 record, averaging 114.0 points and holding opponents to an average of 107.7 points per game.
Injury reports reveal significant concerns for both teams. The Mavericks will be without rookie Dereck Lively II for the rest of the season due to a foot injury and are facing additional absences with P.J. Washington in concussion protocol and Kyrie Irving nursing a knee issue. The Spurs are also dealing with their own injury list, with Kelly Olynyk, Dylan Harper, Lindy Waters III, and Jeremy Sochan sidelined.
Conclusion
As the stage is set for this compelling matchup, it will be fascinating to see if the Mavericks can bounce back or if the Spurs will continue their strong form.
