The Dallas Mavericks are at American Airlines Stadium today, trying to end a three-game losing streak against the Miami Heat.
Dallas’ most recent loss was a blowout at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who put up 133 points on the Mavericks’ suspect defense. The losing streak threatens to drop the Mavs from playoff contention as the season draws closer to the end. Dallas is clinging to the eighth spot but has seen the Golden State Warriors climb closer to overtaking it.
Luka Doncic continues to reign supreme for the Mavs despite the losing streak. His triple-double against Indiana included 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Daniel Gafford recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Dallas ranked last in the league in defense over the course of the last six games and is giving up an average of 127.3 points. Turnovers have not been an issue, as the Mavs have the fifth-best ranking in the NBA, with just 11.9 per game. It has been the team’s inability to get stops that has led to the losses piling up.
The Heat are headed in the opposite direction and are riding on seven wins in the last eight games. Eastern Conference teams have beaten the Mavs in four of the last five games and Miami owns a 14-6 advantage historically against Dallas.
Nick Wright on FS1’s First Things First program said the Mavs are still a threat in playoff competition.
“Terrifying for a series or two,” Wright said while comparing the Mavs and the Lakers. “Can either of these teams win three straight series, let alone four straight series? The Lakers with their rotations and the lack of defense at times and the coaching. The Mavs with just an outright allergy to defense lately. The answer is probably not, but you don’t want to see them across from you in the bracket at any point.”
The Mavs and Heat tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Arena. Betting lines have the Mavs with a 114-111 advantage, according to SportsbookWire.
