Mavs vs. Bucks: Luka, Giannis, Doc Rivers, Injuries & Trade Deadline
To say the Dallas Mavericks have been inconsistent over the last month would be a severe understatement. Dallas, despite still being four games over .500 at 26-22, hasn't won consecutive games since the first week of January.
These struggles have mainly been due to a plethora of unfortunate and untimely injuries that have put more of a strain on Luka Doncic, who is putting together an incredible MVP-caliber season. In 40 games played, Doncic is averaging 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.6 assists while shooting 48.9 percent overall and 37.5 percent from deep.
However, some of Dallas' struggles have also come from its lack of size on the roster. The Mavs have been in search of frontcourt upgrades for the last several weeks, and there's a chance that they address those needs ahead of next week's trade deadline.
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In the meantime, though, Doncic and the Mavs welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Fresh off of hiring Doc Rivers as their new head coach, the Bucks have lost two consecutive games coming into tonight's matchup, but Dallas hasn't beaten Milwaukee since April 3, 2022. So, either way, one losing skid is going to continue tonight.
“Will we be able to (implement all of our system changes against the Mavs)? Absolutely not,” Rivers said on Friday after his first practice as Milwaukee's head coach. “But we’re going to. And, you know, we may screw it up, too. That’s OK. The guys understand that. It’s going to take a minute. Doesn’t mean we can’t win.”
As far as injuries go, the Bucks have a clean bill of health aside from Andre Jackson Jr. being listed as questionable with a wrist sprain. The Mavs, on the other hand, as they have for most of this season, have a long injury list, including: Kyrie Irving (doubtful - thumb), Dereck Lively II (doubtful - nose), Dante Exum (out - knee), Derrick Jones Jr. (questionable - wrist), and Maxi Kleber (probable - nose).
But hey... at least Doncic is rested and good to go for this one. When the four-time All-NBA First Teamer is on the floor, the Mavs always have a chance to come away with the win, even if they're shorthanded. You can watch tonight's game on Bally Sports Southwest or NBA League Pass at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Bucks are favored over the Mavs by 4.5 points.
