Mavs-Sixers preview: Kleber was his old self against Bucks

PHILADELPHIA – Injuries have derailed Maxi Kleber’s efforts to become his old self this season. But during Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Kleber was back to normal.

Not only did Kleber pour in a season-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shots against the Bucks, he also was 4-of-7 from three-point territory.

It’s the most points Kleber has scored in a game since he tallied a career-high 26 points against Orlando on Feb. 21, 2020.

Saturday’s performance is a shot in the arm for Kleber, who has missed 35 games this season due to a small right toe dislocation. He’s been back in the Mavs’ rotation since a Jan. 27 game against the Sacramento Kings.

“I’m feeling good,” Kleber said. “Obviously, for being out that long you’ve always got to find your rhythm.”

With rookie center Dereck Lively II having a procedure on Monday for a broken nose, the success by Kleber against the Bucks was much-needed and right on time.

“I thought Maxi coming back from injury, he’s gotten better each game and (Saturday was) no different,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought (him) being able to shoot the three, being able to guard on the perimeter, and then also being able to guard Giannis (Antetokounmpo) in the post, I thought he did a really good job for us and we’re going to need that going forward.”

With his four three-pointers against the Bucks, Kleber now has 503 made three-pointers for his career. The Mavs are hoping he’ll continue having the hot hand on Monday when they face the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

Because of what he experienced on the injury front – and now that he’s back on his feet — Kleber is delighted he’s able to make a meaningful contribution to the Mavs.

“You’ve got to find your position and where to be on the court with the team,” Kleber said. “We didn’t have much practice because of scheduling is crazy, too.

“But overall, I’m just happy to be out there again playing.”

*This is the opener of a three-game trip for the Mavs. They play Tuesday in Brooklyn against the Nets and Thursday in New York against the Knicks before returning home to entertain the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

*For the Sixers, this is the second of a four-game homestand. Brooklyn defeated Philly in the opener of this homestand on Saturday, 136-121. The homestand also includes a Wednesday meeting against Golden State and a Friday matchup against Atlanta.

*Luka Doncic (right ankle soreness) is questionable for Monday’s game, and Dereck Lively II (broken nose) and Dante Exum (right knee soreness) are listed as out.

*The 44 points the Mavs scored in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Milwaukee represent the most points they’ve scored in the first quarter of a game this season. The Mavs have more 40-point quarters this season (16) than any other team.

*The Sixers announced Sunday that All-Star center Joel Embiid — who won last year’s Most Valuable Player award — will undergo a procedure later this week to address a left meniscus injury. Embiid, who was injured last Tuesday when Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on his left knee, leads the league in scoring with 35.3 points per game.

*With the 16 three-pointers the Mavs converted against Milwaukee, they now have made 15 of more three-pointers in 29 games this season. The only team with more 15 or more three-pointers in a game this season are the Boston Celtics with 37.

*Now that Joel Embiid is sidelined, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey will be Philadelphia’s primary go-to player. A product of South Garland High School, Maxey is averaging 26.2 ppg and 6.4 apg. He also scored a career-high 51 points last Thursday during a 127-124 victory over the Utah Jazz.

*Luka Doncic finished the game against the Bucks with 40 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists. Coupled with the 45 points and 15 assists Doncic collected last Monday against the Orlando Magic, Doncic is just the 12^th player in NBA history to record back-to-back 40-point double-doubles that consisted of points and assists.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (26-23) at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (30-18)

When: 6 p.m., Monday

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

TV: BSSW

Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice