Mavs BREAKING: Luka Doncic Injury Update as Kyrie Irving Leads at Kings
Winning two consecutive games without Luke Doncic wasn't on many people's Dallas Mavericks bingo card this season. However, as the trade deadline proved, the NBA is full of surprises.
After missing three games, Luka Doncic (heel) will apparently miss at least one more game as he's looking at Saturday's second night of a back-to-back for his return.
When that happens, Doncic will finally link with his superstar backcourt running mate Kyrie Irving. As the high-powered Kings offense stands as an obstacle for Dallas, we will see if the aforementioned stars can match production on Saturday. But for Friday night, the Mavs will have to try to win a third consecutive game without Doncic.
Irving's play-within-the-team approach from Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers revealed what's possible with this Mavs squad. With Doncic and Irving in the lineup, double-team schemes seem like a thing of the past.
Wednesday night, Irving showcased why he's suited to switch up the tempo for Dallas when Doncic is on the bench. Aside from the blistering shooting (48 percent from deep), players moved off-ball, and for the third consecutive game, Dallas pushed the tempo.
It's safe to assume the Mavs received a facelift.
Against the ninth-ranked-paced team in Sacramento, Dallas can fight fire with fire. … Both teams showing they can score with the best of them. Expect a shootout as Dallas and Sacramento fall in the bottom 10 of the league regarding defensive rating.
However, defense is the X-Factor in Friday evening's contest. Dallas has a slight advantage without much resistance on the Kings' end in that department. Now void of Dorian Finney-Smith, and still missing Maxi Kleber to injury, team effort remains the key for Dallas' defense.
Regarding team defense, in their last two games, the Mavs held their opponent to 51.2 effective field-goal percentages - ranking in the 69th percentile league-wide. Although the Clippers only classify as 22nd in offensive rating, the Utah Jazz, the team Dallas played prior to Los Angeles, falls in the top-four league-wide.
Frontcourt play might be the deciding factor defensively, as Kings NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis is as versatile as they come. Although he doesn't shoot from distance at an impressive clip, he handles the ball, sets excellent screens, posts up, and rebounds to the point of exhaustion for whoever guards him.
The Mavs frontcourt has its hands full here. However, getting Sabonis into foul trouble is the key, and with a newfound appetite for running the break, Dallas has a legitimate chance to cause chaos for the Kings.
FUN FACT: After the smoke settled from the Irving trade, the former Brooklyn Nets guard showcased why, despite his off-court issues, multiple teams bid for his services. Irving scored 24 points on 4-8 three-point shooting, dished five assists, and registered two stocks (steals and blocks).
Without forcing the issue, Irving put his stamp on the game.
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (30-26), Sacramento Kings (31-23)
WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2023 - 9 p.m. CT
WHERE: Golden 1 Center, (Sacramento, CA)
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Dallas Mavericks are 1-point favorites over the Sacramento Kings.
NEXT UP: The Mavs stay in Sacramento on a second night of a back-to-back schedule on Saturday night.
FINAL WORD: With all the commotion surrounding the Irving trade and, consequently, his free agent status, dread follows. However, as Dallas embarks on a voyage for its second NBA championship in franchise history, fans shouldn't forgo Irving as a definite rental.
While Irving has the right to leave Dallas in free agency, the few teams with significant cap space don't have a fast-track route for contention, as the Mavs do. However, a sign-and-trade scenario is the only way for Irving to land in Los Angeles.
Dallas holds the advantage regarding signing Irving outright, with no strings attached. If the Mavs deem it suitable for their future, they can offer the superstar point guard a five-year, $272.2 million contract. Only the Mavericks' front office can offer Irving the coveted maximum deal.
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