Mavericks at Kings
THE STORY: A trip to Sacramento has often solved any ills for the
Dallas Mavericks and they hope it does the trick again Friday when they
try to snap a five-game road losing streak. Dallas has won 10 in a row
over the Kings – four in Sacramento – last losing 102-95 on Nov. 11,
2009. The Kings can only hope Friday’s game is closer than the last time
these teams met. Dallas held Sacramento to a franchise-low 60 points in
a 99-60 rout on Jan. 14 in Dallas.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Mavericks), CS California (Kings).
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-18): The Mavericks are in the middle of
three games in three nights and got off to a disappointing start in a
96-94 loss to Phoenix on Thursday as Rodrigue Beaubois missed two late
shots. Dallas, which had won eight in a row over the Suns, blew a
12-point lead. Coach Rick Carlisle said it was “a coach’s decision” as
to why Jason Terry was not on the floor in the closing seconds. Brendan
Haywood (left ankle) and Brandan Wright (concussion) might be out for
the Mavericks Friday.
ABOUT THE KINGS (13-26): Rookie
guard Isaiah Thomas is averaging 14.7 points in 10 games since making
his first start Feb. 17. He was the last pick of the draft but has found
his spot for the Kings. “People start looking at his heart, his desire,
his toughness. Those were never in question,” coach Keith Smart said.
“I think more than anything else, he was evaluated based on how big he
is and what can he do in the NBA before the draft.” Center DeMarcus
Cousins is expected back after missing Wednesday’s game with food
poisoning.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Mavericks haven’t dropped six in a row on the road since an eight-game slide Nov. 7-30, 1999
2.
The 99-60 rout in Dallas was the Mavericks’ second-most lopsided
victory in series history. Dallas defeated Sacramento 111-71 on Nov. 12,
1988.
3. Dallas’ Vince Carter (20,892 points) moved past Bob
Pettit (20,880 points) for 32nd all-time. Pettit was the first NBA
player to reach 20,000.