Mavericks at 76ers
Jimmy Butler wore out his welcome in Minnesota, and now tensions are erupting in Philadelphia as the All-Star swingman reportedly is complaining about his role. The 76ers will look to sidestep the turmoil on Saturday, when they host the Dallas Mavericks.
Butler, acquired from the Timberwolves in mid-November, challenged Philadelphia coach Brett Brown about his role in the offense, with eyewitnesses saying the manner was "disrespectful," according to a report by ESPN. Butler is averaging 19.1 points in 31 games with the 76ers but hasn't always been a fit with center Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons, and the situation is complicated by the fact Butler can become a free agent after the season. Dallas is 1-2 on its four-game road trip as Friday's 114-93 loss at Boston was its ninth in 12 games. "It's a tough one," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters afterward of playing the Celtics and 76ers on back-to-back nights. "The good thing was (Friday's game) was relatively quick and we get to get out of here quick and get to Philly."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (18-20): Rookie forward Luka Doncic continues to play well with 13 straight double-digit performances, including Friday's effort in which he recorded 19 points and nine assists to fall just short of a double-double. "He did some good things, but look, when you get beat big and never have a lead in the game, it's hard to look for individual positives," Carlisle told reporters. "This is a team game, and we've got to approach it that way." Forward Dirk Nowitzki may have played in Boston for the last time, and Friday certainly wasn't his night as he went scoreless on 0-of-10 shooting - including eight misses from 3-point range.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (25-14): Philadelphia is back home after going 3-2 on a five-game road trip as Embiid averaged 31.8 points and 17 rebounds in the four contests in which he played. Embiid matched his season high of 42 points and collected 18 rebounds as the 76ers led by as many as 30 before settling for a 132-127 win over Phoenix on Wednesday in the final game of the trek. Simmons registered a season-best 29 points and shooting guard JJ Redick scored 27 against the Suns.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers have won the last three meetings after the Mavericks prevailed in the previous eight matchups.
2. Dallas has lost 10 of its last 11 games on the road, where it is 3-17 on the season.
3. Butler (upper respiratory infection), who missed both the contest against the Suns and Friday's practice, will be re-evaluated on Saturday.