Tanking Mavs Set Record for Futility with Worst-Ever 1st Quarter - Down 42-14 to Lowly Spurs in Finale

The Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon to officially end their season.

After a long, grueling season, it all comes to a head following the Dallas Mavericks' game vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon.

And it starts this way ...

The Mavericks outscored the Spurs 45-29 in the 2nd quarter and are down 71-59 at halftime. It was a more respectable result than the 42-14 deficit they faced at the end of the opening period. 

Jaden Hardy has 21 points, and Davis Bertans has scored 17.

 But wait; what about that first quarter? That 42-14 deficit to San Antonio after a quarter is the largest first-quarter hole in team history. ... all very fitting for this pitiful season ...

Now, going into the day ...

The NBA is investigating the Mavs' decision to abruptly pull healthy players from the lineup of Friday's contest vs. the Chicago Bulls, where Dallas hoped to improve its lottery status. However, Sunday's matchup features another stacked injury report as both teams participate merely as a formality before heading to summer vacation.

With all the season's disappointment, Dallas’ decision to tank 81 games in produced quite a stir. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, the natural rebuild — or “Organic Tanking,” as we like to call it — continues. Clearly, Dallas had no intentions of missing the playoffs, but the fact it had to make such a drastic decision nearing the finish line indicates the franchise's desperation. 

One season removed from a Western Conference Finals appearance, the Mavs will now miss the playoffs and have a potential league-shifting issue in the back of their minds — the possibility of a Luka Doncic trade if things don’t turn around in a hurry. 

Winning vs. the Spurs does nothing to favor the Mavs. However, a loss doesn't help much, either. Losing doesn't guarantee them a top-10 pick, but it does further magnify the colossal failure of a season. 

Mavericks vs. Spurs Injury Report

Dallas Mavericks

• Reggie Bullock (OUT - rest)
• Luka Doncic (OUT - thigh)
• Josh Green (OUT - rest)
• Tim Hardaway Jr. (OUT - ankle)
• Kyrie Irving (OUT - foot)
• Maxi Kleber (OUT- hamstring

 San Antonio Spurs

• Charles Bassey (OUT - patella)
• Khem Birch (OUT - knee)
• Devonte' Graham (OUT - adductor)
• Doug McDermott (OUT - ankle)
• Jeremy Sochan (OUT - knee)
• Devin Vassell (OUT - knee)
• Keldon Johnson (QUESTIONABLE - foot)
• Romeo Langford (QUESTIONABLE - adductor)

RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (38-43), San Antonio Spurs (21-60)

WHERE: American Airlines Center, (Dallas, TX)

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 9, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. CT

TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass

RADIO: 97.1 The Freak

ODDS: The Mavs are three-point favorites over the Spurs.

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