The San Antonio Spurs (47-34) will face off against the Dallas Mavericks (32-48) one last time to finish off the regular season before the playoffs. The Spurs come in as one of the best teams at home with a 31-9 record. The Mavericks have long been eliminated from playoff contention, as most fans will chalk this year up as a transition season. Plenty of excitement surrounds Dallas with rookie Luke Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, who they acquired from the Knicks earlier in the season via trade. San Antonio comes into this game -8.5 over Dallas.
Dallas Looking for One
The Spurs are going for the season sweep over the Mavericks. Their last game against each other came on March 12, when San Antonio won 112-105. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 28. The teammates had identical 11 for 19 shooting lines from the field and combined to go 17 of 17 from the line.
Luka Doncic went through one of the worst games of his rookie season as he battled a sprained knee. Doncic didn’t score until the final minute of the first half and ended up with 12 points and a career-high nine turnovers.
He finished 5 for 18 from the field and 1 for 9 from the line. Things hit rock bottom for Doncic in the third quarter, when he was fouled on a 3-point shot and didn’t make any of the free throws. He also missed 3 of 4 from the line down the stretch when Dallas was mounting a comeback.
“He’s an emotional player, but he just turned 20,” said teammate Dirk Nowitzki, who like Doncic started his NBA career as a teenager. “He’ll be fine. I’m not worried about him. He’s had a heck of a rookie season so far, and he’s going to keep attacking for us.”
Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 34 points for the Mavericks, and Dwight Powell added 20.
Spurs Heading to Postseason
San Antonio looks to make it three straight wins with a victory over Dallas on Wednesday. Nothing is decided about the Spurs’ playoff situation except that they’re in. And that’s all that matters.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points and 13 rebounds, as San Antonio, is locked in a three-team scramble to determine playoff seeding in the Western Conference, extended Cleveland’s losing streak to nine games by beating the Cavaliers 112-90 on Sunday.
The Spurs have now clinched a playoff spot for an NBA record-tying 22ndyear in a row. San Antonio entered against the Cavaliers in eighth place, which would mean an early matchup – and maybe an early exit – against defending champion Golden State.
However, the Spurs can still move ahead of Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers as they own tiebreakers with both teams.
“It’s going to play out however it plays out,” said forward DeMar DeRozan, who had 14 points and nine assists. “Wherever the chips fall is how they fall.”
Patty Mills and Davis Bertans added 14 points apiece for the balanced Spurs, who turned back every Cleveland challenge in the second half. Mills made three 3-pointers in two minutes early in the fourth quarter to end any chances of the Cavs rallying.
-
Get more details:
Free Pick: Take the Spurs -13
