What to Watch For

 

Early Game: 3pm Tip Off

 

Since the Cowboys game against the Buccaneers was flexed from an afternoon game to the Sunday Night Football game the Mavericks (smartly) pushed [note]unflexed?[/note] back from a night game to an afternoon match.

 

Dec 7, L 89-120

 

The last time these two teams met the Mavericks dropped an 89-120 stinker [note]Yes, that’s the technical term[/note] that left Coach Carlisle basically speechless. After the game Carlisle walked into the locker room, spoke for 39 seconds about rebounding and hustle and heart, didn’t take any questions, and then walked out. Several media members claimed they had never seen Carlisle respond like that. While that seems unlikely it was still a telling response that Coach did not approve of the effort his team put forth. The Mavericks next game was the Star Wars Night game against the Pacers and the team looked night-and-day-different in the effort category.

 

 

Key Matchups

 

Mavericks Wings vs Kings Wings

 

Injury Report Spoiler Alert[note]It’s coming[/note], the Kings are most likely going to be without Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi. That means the Kings are going to have to replace 53 minutes of wing-play, so get ready to see a lot of Matt Barnes.

 

DeMarcus Cousins vs Harrison Barnes

 

In the last matchup Harrison Barnes (as he has been doing) started at the 4 (Power Forward) position facing off against DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie accrued 24 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks in 32 minutes. Which would be incredible numbers for anyone else. Now that Rudy Gay is doubtful the scoring load is all on Boogie and Harrison Barnes should be using an inhaler.

 

 

 

Injury Report

 

Mavericks

 

JJ Barea – Out

Dirk Nowitzki – Out

Andrew Bogut – Out

 

Kings

 

Rudy Gay – Doubtful

Omri Casspi – Questionable

 

Rudy Gay (hip flexor) is doubtful for tomorrow's Kings v. Mavs 1pm PST start in Dallas. Omri Casspi (illness) is questionable.

— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) December 18, 2016

 

 

Game Info

GAME DAY! Early tipoff for #DALvsSAC set for 3PM CT! Doors open at 1PM! Broadcast on @FOXSportsSW starting at 2:30PM! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/2P8fxXsYQQ

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 18, 2016