The Dallas Mavericks clash with the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, aiming to maintain a top four push in the West.
Dallas is coming off a crucial home win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday (100-114), which let them move a game ahead of the Jazz in the battle for fourth. The Mavs are at 46-29, whereas Utah has a 45-30 record.
“We haven’t done anything. Our next opponent is the Lakers, and that’s all we’re focused on. We did what we had to do (Sunday), and that was protect home.
Now our next opponent is the Lakers, who are fighting for something, too. So we now have to turn the page and get ready for LeBron and that group,” Dallas head coach Jason Kidd said, via NBA.com.
On the other hand, the Lakers want to avoid a third straight loss that will put their play-in tournament spot in jeopardy.
The 17-time NBA champions suffered a tough road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday (108-116). Despite a 23-point lead in the second quarter, the Lakers saw the Pelicans outscore them 67-39 in the second half to win the game.
With a 31-43 record, they are 10th in the West, a game below the Pelicans (32-43) and 0.5 games above the San Antonio Spurs (31-44).
The Lakers will take on the Mavericks without superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They are both dealing with injuries and the team has ruled them out.
The last time the two teams faced each other was back on March 1, when Dallas earned the 109-104 win.
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