Kevin Durant Sees Luka Doncic's New-Look Mavs As 'Great Test' After NBA All-Star Break

Kevin Durant looks forward to facing Luka Doncic's Mavs, serving as a "great test" for the Suns coming out of NBA All-Star Weekend.

The Dallas Mavericks will face the Phoenix Suns coming out of the NBA All-Star Break in Thursday's matchup at American Airlines Center. Both teams have significant aspirations for what they can achieve throughout the rest of the season. Facing off against each other will be a test. 

After winning six consecutive games entering the break, the Mavs are tied with the Boston Celtics as holding the longest active winning streak. During this period, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas ranks seventh in offensive rating (119.8), first in defensive rating (102.5), and third in net rating (17.3), showing to be one of the league's hottest teams. 

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Dallas has shown an improved team after making recent trade additions like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford before the midseason deadline. The team is still adjusting to having those new players, but with a different look at power forward and another rim protector at center, there is a lot of optimism about the team's potential. 

"Good test for us. They've been playing well lately," Durant said. "They got some new additions to their team that'll challenge us. It's a great game to start the second half of the season with."

The matchup holds significant importance for both teams, considering it'll decide the tie-breaker for playoff seeding. Phoenix ranks fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 33-22 record, while the Mavs' 32-23 record places them seventh and trailing the Suns by one game.  

The most recent meeting between the Suns and Mavs involved a blowout victory for Phoenix, winning 132-109 on Jan. 24 at American Airlines Center. Durant only finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, but his teammate, Devin Booker, scored a staggering 46 points, while Bradley Beal scored 20. 

The Mavs will have needed opportunities to practice before their re-match with the Suns, gaining a chance for new players better to learn their principles and schemes on offense and defense. Considering the importance Washington and Gafford hold, it'll serve as a chance to catch up after playing the day after arriving in Dallas.