Dallas Mavericks (42-26) vs. Brooklyn Nets (36-33)
Wednesday, March 16 @ Barclays Center
How to Watch/Listen:
7:30 p.m. ET on YES, ESPN and WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM.
Matchup:
The Nets will look for their fifth straight win on Wednesday when they complete a back-to-back at home against the Mavericks. The Nets are coming off a win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday in which Kyrie Irving had a historic 60-point night for Brooklyn.
Since Irving is ineligible to play at Barclays Center, the role of leading man for the Nets turns back to Kevin Durant, who had a 50 point effort on Sunday afternoon against the New York Knicks. The Nets may be without Seth Curry and Cam Thomas for the second consecutive games.
The two missed Tuesday’s game with left ankle soreness and a back contusion, respectively.
“You try to put your team in a position to play their best basketball with whos available,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “We’ve had a lot of availability issues clearly throughout the season and just trying to put ourselves in a position to win regardless of who is playing out there each night. It’s a challenge, but we’ve had healthy bodies recently — or more so than we’re used to. Hopefully, we’ll continue to get health these last 13 games.”
The Nets defeated the Dallas Mavericks their last time out against one another in a 102-99 victory in the Lone Star State.
Why it Matters:
The Nets’ win on Tuesday helped them remain within 2.5 games back of the seventh-seeded Toronto Raptors. They are 3.5 games back of the sixth seed Cleveland Cavaliers and 2.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks.
Nets Notables
Kevin Durant has now registered multiple 50-point games for three teams, becoming the third player in NBA history to post multiple 50-point games for three different teams. … Kyrie Irving (two) and KD (one) have recorded three 50-point games within a four-game span. The Nets have become the first team in NBA history to have two 50-point scorers in a three-game span and three in a four-game span. … Across their last four games, Brooklyn has outscored its opponents 157-103 (+54) in first quarters. Prior to this four-game stretch, Brooklyn had been outscored by 81 points in first quarters this season.
Injury Report
Nets: Seth Curry (left ankle soreness) and Cam Thomas (back contusion) are questionable. LaMarcus Aldridge (right hip impingement), David Duke Jr. (G League – two-way), Joe Harris (left ankle surgery), Kyrie Irving (ineligible to play) and Ben Simmons (return to competition reconditioning/back soreness) are out.
Mavericks: Reggie Bullock (personal reasons), Marquese Chriss (right knee soreness), Tim Hardaway Jr (left foot surgery), Theo Pinson (right fifth finger fracture) and Moses Wright (G League – two-way) are out.
Knicks vs. Nets Odds, Lines, More
- Spread: Mavericks -1.5
- Nets Moneyline: +102
- Mavericks Moneyline: -120
- First Basket: Kevin Durant +390
