Mavs vs. Hornets Preview: Kyrie Irving Re-Joins Luka Doncic in Another Must-Win Game
Is there a limit to the Dallas Mavericks' tendency to play worst-case-scenario basketball?
No matter the opponent, the Mavs keep their fanbase guessing. Between botched coaching decisions, missed layups, missed free throws and overall chaotic fourth-quarter finishes, Dallas is in a tricky spot with nine games left.
On Friday night, Luka Doncic and company have a schedule buffer in the Charlotte Hornets. However, as this season has proven, no game is a definite victory.
Without touching too much on Wednesday’s potential season-ruining game vs. the Golden State Warriors, it's safe to say frustration is bubbling in Dallas. Thankfully, for the Mavericks and fans alike, the Hornets don't offer much resistance, mainly due to their star guard LaMelo Ball being out with a fractured ankle.
The Mavs are getting some much-needed reinforcements on Friday, as Kyrie Irving will suit up with Doncic for the first time since March 8 due to both stars playing tag with nagging injuries.
At least on offense, Jaden Hardy offers the Mavs another spark plug for when the rest of the roster aside from Doncic and Irving can't hit open shots. For example, Hardy's 27 points against the Warriors provided Dallas with a chance to stay attached that it otherwise wouldn't have had.
Not much discussion is necessary for a lottery-destined team like Charlotte, but again, don't bank on an easy win for the Mavs. In the last 10 games, they've posted a -2.3 net rating. Perhaps Doncic and Irving’s superstar duo presence can save Dallas from a new level of frustration.
Tonight is either the beginning of the end or a fresh start for the play-in tournament eligible Mavs.
Mavericks Injury Report
- Kyrie Irving (AVAILABLE - foot)
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (QUESTIONABLE - non-COVID illness)
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (36-37), Charlotte Hornets (23-51)
WHEN: Friday, March 24, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. CT.
WHERE: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Mavs are favored by 14.5 points over the Hornets.
NEXT UP: Dallas faces the Hornets again on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.
FINAL WORD: The next three games will decide the Mavericks' postseason fate, and fellow DallasBasketball.com contributor Michael Mulford explained why:
"That's where the next three games come into play for the Mavs as must-wins, starting on Friday night vs. the Hornets at American Airlines Center.
Dallas plays Charlotte in back-to-back games tonight and Sunday before visiting old pal Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, who you can bet would love nothing more than to play spoiler to his former team.
If there was ever a time to go on a mini-winning streak, it's right now against an obvious “tanking” team in Charlotte and a fringe play-in team in Indiana. During that same stretch, the Mavericks' competition out West in the Jazz, Lakers, Thunder, and Timberwolves will all be feasting on each other in head-to-head matchups".
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