Spurs vs. Mavericks: 5 Questions Ahead of Final Game Before All-Star Break
The San Antonio Spurs wrap up the first half of their season tonight as they visit the Dallas Mavericks.
To learn more about the Mavs' current state of affairs, we spoke with DallasBasketball.com editor-in-chief Dalton Trigg.
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What are your thoughts about the Mavs' latest trade acquisitions, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford?
Mavs GM Nico Harrison knew his team's biggest needs, and he fixed them by bringing in Gafford and Washington. After spending most of the season getting pounded in the paint when Dereck Lively II wasn't on the floor, that's no longer a concern with Gafford, who is averaging 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in his first two games as a Maverick.
Washington has only shot 11.1 percent from deep since being in Dallas, but he's been a +32 over his two games played so far while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.
If the Mavs win tonight, what is the reason why?
Overall talent. With all due respect to Victor Wembanyama, who looks like he could eventually become the best basketball player in the world at some point in the near future, the Mavs just completely overpower the Spurs in the talent department with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Lively, Gafford, Washington, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green and others.
What’s one thing people should know about the Mavs that cannot be found in a box score?
Irving's reputation took a big hit before he ended up with the Mavs, but the eight-time All-Star has been delightful both on and off the court. Recently, Irving made a generous donation to sports complex in Jackson, MS, not because he had any ties to the organization, but just because it was simply brought to his attention and he wanted to help give kids a safe place to play basketball. The money was used to build a state-of-the-art basketball court, and a local artist put the finishing touches on it by painting a mural of Irving as a backdrop.
What individual matchup are you looking forward to?
Mavs centers vs. Spurs centers. Wembanyama can do things nobody else can do given his alien-like physical attributes, but overall, I feel like Dallas wins the center battle while having both Gafford and Lively.
What’s your prediction for the game?
The Mavs came out flat on Monday, to put it mildly, having to battle back from being down 11 points to the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter before rallying in the final nine minutes and pulling out a 112-104 win. I would expect Dallas to come out with more focus against the Spurs, as it looks to extend its season-best five-game win streak to six games ahead of the All-Star break.
