The Dallas Mavericks are running out of opportunities to pick up wins on their home floor.
Saturday’s 102-98 loss to the Charlotte Hornets (33-42) leaves the Mavericks (22-51) with just three more home games remaining in what has been a forgettable 2017-18 season.
Dallas trailed by double-digits in the third but mounted a furious comeback behind Dennis Smith Jr. (team-high 21 points). The Mavericks had the ball down just two with a chance to win the game, but Kemba Walker was able to force the turnover to help the Hornets preserve the win. Walker finished with 24 points.
Having already sealed their first 50-loss season since 1997-98, Dallas entered Saturday looking to snap a four-game losing skid. Dallas has fared well, historically, against the Hornets and holds a 37-18 overall advantage.
Things were looking good early for Dallas as Harrison Barnes chipped in three first-quarter triples during a key 8-0 run that helped the Mavericks jump out to an early 20-13 lead. Charlotte cut the advantage to 27-22 to end the period and outscored Dallas, 32-21, in the second quarter to take a 54-48 lead into the half.
The next few games will be interesting for the Mavericks as far as the lottery standings are concerned. Dallas travels to face Sacramento on Tuesday, a team that is 1.5 games back of the Mavericks in the lottery standings. Entering Saturday’s contest, Dallas was alone in fifth-place.
After that game, the Mavericks play the next night at the Lakers before returning home on Friday to take on Minnesota.
In April, Dallas travels to Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit and Philadelphia and faces Portland and Phoenix at home.
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