Mavericks-Warriors preview: Early West Coast start to close out 2023

SAN FRANCISCO – Jason Kidd is ending 2023 by getting prepared for what everybody hopes is a productive and successful 2024.

The Mavericks’ playing rotation got closer to normal on Thursday at Minnesota when Tim Hardaway Jr. was back in his sixth man role. And when Kyrie Irving returns, which appears to be coming soon based on his ramped-up workouts before games lately, the starting lineup will take shape.

Presumably, Dante Exum will be in it, as Kidd has said the guard has earned.

The bench, however, will have punch with Hardaway, Josh Green and Dwight Powell, who had 14 rebounds and 12 points at Minnesota.

“He’s back into his role,” Kidd said of Hardaway. “I thought he did a good job of reading the defense. DP, setting screens, I thought DP was great. Not just with 12 points, but the 14 rebounds.”

The Mavericks will play their final game of 2023 on Saturday against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Irving is listed as doubtful for the game as he continues to recover from a right heel injury suffered on Dec. 8 at Portland. And Luka Dončić is questionable with his sore left quad.

Here’s what else to look for when the Mavericks and Warriors meet in an early (Pacific time) tipoff.

• The Warriors are 15-16 after a 114-102 home loss to Miami on Thursday. They would not be involved in the postseason if the season ended today. But that doesn’t make them any less dangerous for the Mavericks, who have always had trouble winning on the road against the Warriors.
• The Warriors are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, particularly at the offensive end, where they are second in the league at 13.2 offensive boards per game.
• Steph Curry leads them at 27.4 points per game, the but the Warriors have had difficulty with Chris Paul averaging under 9 points per game and Draymond Green serving a suspension.
• For the Mavericks, Jaden Hardy had a good run against the Wolves and finished with 17 points and no turnovers in 31 minutes. “We kind of played him off the ball,” Kidd said. “We had (Seth) Curry handling it more. He (Hardy) was aggressive, making plays. He was a positive. We needed that and hopefully we can get him in the game on Saturday.”
• The Mavericks have lost five of seven while the Warriors have lost two in a row after a five-game winning streak.

MAVERICKS (18-14) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (15-16)

• When/where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Chase Center, San Francisco.
• TV: Bally’s Sports Southwest.
• Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).

X: @ESefko