Mavericks at Warriors
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks will be looking to bounce back from a lopsided loss when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night in the fifth of a six-game road trip. The Mavericks had won five consecutive games and had a chance to move into the No. 2 slot in the Western Conference on Thursday night, but instead were routed by the Lakers 110-82 to fall 1 ½ games back of Los Angeles. Golden State is coming off back-to-back losses at Oklahoma City and Memphis that extended their road losing streak to eight games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSSW, CSBA-plus
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (32-44): Golden State put up a spirited battle in dropping a 115-114 overtime decision at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. The toll of that game showed one night later when the Warriors managed just 38 points in the second half after leading by five points at halftime in a 110-91 loss at Memphis. Stephen Curry, who went for 35 points against the Thunder, was limited to six points on 2-of-14 shooting against the Grizzlies. Warriors leading scorer Monta Ellis hurt his ankle in Wednesday’s game and is questionable for Saturday.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (53-22): After extending its winning streak to five games with a six-point win at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Dallas also wilted in the second half of a back-to-back against the Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 13 rebounds, but no other Mavericks starter scored in double figures as the Lakers outscored Dallas 56-31 in the second half. Five players were ejected in the fourth quarter, including Dallas’ Jason Terry and Brendan Haywood. The Mavs got a break when Terry’s flagrant-2 foul was downgraded to a flagrant-1, sparing him a possible suspension.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Warriors forward Al Thornton has scored a total of 12 points in his last three games and has not attempted a free throw. Curry scored 35 at Oklahoma City, but he has been held to 11 points or fewer in five of his last nine. Mavericks guard Rodrique Beaubois is averaging 6.6 points in his last five games. Terry had a forgettable two nights in Los Angeles, scoring 11 points on 4-of-20 shooting.
KEY STATISTIC: The Warriors have allowed 10 consecutive opponents to score 100 points.
SEASON SERIES: Dallas has won all three meetings. The Mavericks posted a 105-100 home win on Dec. 7 and eked out a 112-106 win at Golden State on March 16. Dallas won going away on March 20, routing the visiting Warriors 101-73.
KEY INJURIES: GOLDEN SATE: G Monta Ellis (ankle); G Acie Law (wrist); C Andris Biedrins (ankle). DALLAS: F Corey Brewer (knee); F Caron Butler (knee); G Dominique Jones (foot).
LAST WORD: “That's the reason they're the champions. They understand what it takes to win games like this.” – Mavericks center Tyson Chandler following the loss to the two-time defending champion Lakers.