Mavs vs. 76ers Preview: Can Luka Doncic, Dallas Rebound From Rough Road Trip?
After a 1-3 stretch on their four-game road trip, the Dallas Mavericks return to the American Airlines Center for the first of three straight games at home when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT.
In their first meeting, the Mavericks pulled away in the second half, outscoring Philadelphia 65-45 to win 118-102 on Feb. 5 at the Wells Fargo Center. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 23 points and eight assists, while Luka Doncic had 19 points and three assists.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 19 points, and Tobias Harris had 17 points plus six assists. All-star guard Tyrese Maxey scored 15 points and had seven assists.
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Philadelphia (34-25) was without reigning MVP Joel Embiid due to a knee injury, and his return still isn't set in stone. The 76ers have gone 5-8 in his absence and have dropped to fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The Mavs (34-26) were riding an eight-game winning streak before going on the road and dropping three of four games, the last of which was a 138-110 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics (47-12).
Dallas has won four straight games at home. The 76ers are coming off a 121-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at home.
TIME/PLACE: American Airlines Center at noon CT on Sunday.
RECORDS: Mavericks 34-26, 76ers 34-25
SPREAD: Dallas is an 8.5-point favorite.
INJURY REPORT: Mavs - Available: Dereck Lively II (nasal fracture). Out: A.J. Lawson, Brandon Williams and Greg Brown III (G League).
76ers - Questionable: Oubre (shoulder) and KJ Martin (ankle). Out: De'Anthony Melton (back) and Robert Covington (knee).
