Nets at Mavericks
THE STORY:
The Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday will seek their 13th consecutive home
victory over the New Jersey Nets, who haven’t won in Dallas since the
1999-2000 campaign. Dallas won seven of its last nine games entering the
All-Star break and has the fourth-best record in the Western
Conference. New Jersey has lost 10 of its last 12 games and has the
fourth-worst record in the NBA. The Mavericks are 13-6 at home and the
Nets are 7-12 on the road.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, YES (Nets), FS Southwest (Mavericks)
ABOUT THE NETS (10-25):
Center Brook Lopez plays in only his third game of the season in his
return from a broken foot. Lopez scored 15 points in his second game
Feb. 22 but has averaged only three rebounds over his first two games.
New Jersey is hopeful that Lopez will find his groove pretty quickly and
improve the team’s lethargic offense. The Nets are averaging only 92.5
points and missed Lopez, who averaged 20.4 points per game last season.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (21-13):
Dallas is playing its best basketball of the season as the second half
commences. A slow start and an out-of-shape Dirk Nowitzki are distant
memories now. But the Mavericks will be tested with nine games in 12
nights coming out of the break. Six of the games are on the road,
including a back-to-back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento
Kings and Golden State Warriors. Dallas has held 12 of its last 13
opponents to less than 100 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Dallas has won five straight and 19 of the last 22 meetings.
2. Nowitzki is averaging 23.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25 career games against the Nets.
3. New Jersey has used 17 different starting lineups.