PREVIEW
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (36-17) AT MAVERICKS (29-23)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, ESPN
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: The Mavs will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back tonight, and so far they’re 4-6 on the second leg of those back-to-backs. . .The Mavs are trying to avoid a season sweep by the Sixers, who defeated Dallas, 111-97, in Philadelphia on Feb. 25. The Mavs only trailed that game, 23-22, after the first quarter. But they got outscored in the decisive second quarter, 36-21, and went into the halftime dressing room behind, 59-43. . .There’s a chance the Mavs could have guard JJ Redick in uniform for the first time tonight. Nicolo Melli and Redick were acquired by the Mavs in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans last month for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, a second-round draft pick and cash. Redick hasn’t played since Mar. 3 when he was still a member of the Pelicans. He has since been trying to overcome a sore right heel. . .After Sunday’s disappointing 119-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Mavs are 1-1 on this home stand. Kristaps Porzingis (31 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks), Luka Doncic (29 points, seven assists) and Josh Richardson (16 points, six assists) led the Mavs in the loss to the Spurs. . .This is the finale of this three-game home stand before the Mavs travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
About the 76ers: With 29 games remaining, the Sixers are tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the best record in the Eastern Conference and the third-best record in the entire NBA. . .Only the Phoenix Suns (17) and Los Angeles Lakers (17) have more victories on the road than Philadelphia, who are tied with the Mavs, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets with 16 road wins apiece. . .The Sixers have a very strong defense and have allowed the seventh fewest points per game in the league at 108.6 ppg. . .This is the finale of a four-game road trip for the Sixers. The trip started with last Tuesday’s 106-96 win over the Boston Celtics behind 35 points from Joel Embiid. The trip continued with last Friday’s 101-94 loss in New Orleans before the Sixers rebounded behind 27 points and nine rebounds from Embiid to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-93, this past Saturday. . .Embiid is averaging 29.4 ppg and 11.1 rpg, and Tobias Harris averages 20.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Also for the Sixers, Ben Simmons is one of the league’s best all-around players with averages of 15 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 7.1 apg, and Shake Milton averages 13.7 ppg. In addition, former Mavs guard Seth Curry is averaging 12.3 ppg and shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point land.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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