The Dallas Mavericks will set out to bounce back from a crushing defeat last time out when they renew hostilities with the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center on Thursday.
The Warriors, meanwhile, make the journey to Texas for their penultimate outing before the All-Star break targeting a third straight victory for the first time since mid-November.
Match preview
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After winning each of their first two games post Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks fell to an agonising 129-128 defeat to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, a few hours before Doncic debuted for the Lakers in the presence of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki.
Following his monster performance against the Rockets, Anthony Davis was a huge miss for Jason Kidd's men, who first gave up a late game-tying shot to DeMar DeRozan, after which DeRozan knocked down a late winner in overtime.
Needing to rise up to the occasion, Kyrie Irving racked up his 10th 30-point game of the season to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists, while Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in with 20 points off the bench.
Since closing out January with three wins from their last four matches, the Mavericks have now lost four of their opening six matches in February and currently sit eighth in the Western Conference standings with a 28-26 record.
Having been dealt some major injury concerns over the last two weeks, the Mavericks will need to dig deep and stick together if they are to remain in playoff contention heading into the final knockings of the season.
Thursday's clash is the third of a five-game homestretch for the home side, who still have a home encounter against the Miami Heat to navigate before the All-Star break, after which they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans.
Just under two months since claiming a thrilling 143-133 victory in the most recent edition of this fixture back in mid-December, the Mavericks are seeking to take a 2-1 series lead against the Warriors this term.
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Fresh from completing a stunning 24-point comeback against the Chicago Bulls, the Golden State Warriors were far too strong for the Milwaukee Bucks as they romped to a 125-111 win in Tuesday's meeting at Fiserv Forum.
Steve Kerr's men went into the locker room with a seven-point advantage and managed to just about keep their noses in front before pulling away early in the fourth quarter to cap off a well-deserved victory.
In what was his 1000th regular season game, Steph Curry showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon as he led his side in scoring with a whopping 38 points, 18 more than new arrival Jimmy Butler in second place.
Moving themselves back into playoff contention in the West, where they currently sit 10th, the Warriors are set for an enthralling end to the season, as only two wins separate them from the Los Angeles Clippers in sixth.
Taking to the court for the fourth of seven consecutive matches on enemy territory, Thursday's visitors will be keen to continue their recent renaissance away from home with a third straight win for the first time in 2025.
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Team News
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New arrivals Anthony Davis and Caleb Martin are sidelined with groin and hip injuries respectively, with the former facing up to one month on the sidelines.
After sustaining a knee problem last time out, Daniel Gafford has joined fellow centers Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell on the hosts' injury list but could return to action within the next fortnight.
PJ Washington and Dante Exum are being evaluated on a daily basis to determine their readiness for Thursday's affair, and there is optimism at least one of them will be fit to feature.
Jonathan Kuminga is the Warriors only guaranteed absentee for this one through an ankle problem, although he has been cleared to resume on-court workouts.
Moses Moody shook off an injury concern to start for the away side against the Bucks, and to good effect too, as he tallied 13 points which has been his average over the last five matches.
Dallas Mavericks possible starting five:
Irving, Exum; Thompson, Edwards; Prosper
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Curry, Hield; Butler, Moody; Green
We say: Warriors to win by 4+ points
Following a 29-point display against the Warriors in December, Klay Thompson will be fired up for Thursday's encounter too as he looks to punish his former employers once again.
That said, we can see the away side fending off their hosts to come away with a narrow win at the sound of the final buzzer.