The Dallas Mavericks finish up a back-to-back in northern California Wednesday night when they visit the Sacramento Kings. Dallas beat Golden State on Tuesday night for its second straight win, while the Kings have dropped two in a row.
This is one of two games happening Wednesday night featuring teams with reverse records. Dallas has had its ups and downs and has had to deal with injuries to both Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic, but it has been playing solid basketball.
Coming off a win over Golden State Tuesday night, the Mavericks will be hoping to get another victory and keep the streak going. They are full of guys who can get stops on defense and bury the three at a high rate. JJ Barea is still out there giving them effective minutes this year.
Sacramento, on the other hand, has not had the best luck this year. De’Aaron Fox missed nearly a month earlier in the year, while Marvin Bagley III has suffered various injuries. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been in and out of the lineup, while Trevor Ariza even had to miss a few weeks.
Sacramento is a strong team that you look at and wonder exactly where it should be right now. Have the Kings underachieved, or were they overrated coming into the year and having a new coach in Luke Walton?
The visiting Mavericks are three-point favorites as they visit old friend Harrison Barnes’ new team. The over/under is set at 224 points.
Trying To Get Rolling
The Mavericks took care of the Warriors handily Tuesday night after a comfortable win over the 76ers in the game prior. And they will be getting Porzingis back Wednesday night, giving them their ultimate rim-protector and deep-ball three shooter again.
Doncic is continuing to tear it up in his second season, proving that he is going to be a top-tier player for the many years to come. They have several guards in Jalen Brunson, Seth Curry and Delon Wright all playing solid ball as they shift between the starting lineup and the bench. All of their bigs are getting it done, even Boban Marjanovic, who had a double-double Tuesday night.
The Mavericks have plenty of shooters that can bury it whenever they need it. Justin Jackson is playing well of late, making sure to keep defenses honest.
Hoping For A Turnaround
Currently sitting 10 games under .500, this Kings team still has a lot of work to do if the playoffs are on their mind. Most surprising this season is that Oklahoma City and Memphis currently occupy the final two spots in the West playoff race at the halfway point of the year.
Sacramento had a long skid to begin the season, with a long winning streak to get it going again. But with most of the Kings currently healthy, the hope is that they can play quality ball with the players out there. Bogdanovic is trying to bring them some scoring off the bench.
The Kings will need a strong performance from Buddy Hield and also Richaun Holmes to have a chance to get the win Wednesday night.
Dallas Gets It Done
Barnes’ new team will not beat his old. The Mavericks come away with a road win.
Free Play: Dallas -3
