Mavs-Kings preview: Facing reality means going back to strength in numbers

SACRAMENTO – Quentin Grimes sounded a little like Bill Murray’s character in the great movie Stripes.

In the show, after his girlfriend leaves him, Murray utters the famous line: “And then, depression set in.”

Except in Grimes’ case, it wasn’t depression he was talking about. The Mavericks’ guard was telling his listeners about dealing in reality, which is what they must do with the injury to Luka Dončić.

“We have more than enough to get the job done,” Grimes said. “We have a really deep team. Everybody knows we can’t substitute one guy for Luka. He’s a megastar.”

“(It’s about) knowing we are going to be without Luka for about a month or whatever the case may be, so just come together. Not one guy coming in, but doing it collectively. Play Mavs’ basketball.”

In a way, it’s a lot like what Murray’s character, John Winger, did in Stripes. All the Mavericks have to do is join the army. The Mavs Army.

They have been a strength in numbers team all season and there’s no time more important than right now to bond together, even if their roster is peppered with missing players.

One of those who missed Saturday’s loss in Portland, P.J. Washington, will return Monday against Sacramento, having completed his one-game suspension.

It remains to be seen if Dereck Lively II will be able to return from his left hip contusion. And Dončić (left calf strain) and Naji Marshall (suspended for three more games) will remain out.

The Mavericks have not been playing their best lately – they’re 4-4 in their last eight games. But they have been very good in games that Dončić has missed, owning a 7-3 record.

Interestingly, they are 1-6 in games Washington has missed, so getting him back against the Kings should bring better news.

Here’s what else to look for when the Mavericks battle the Kings:

• The Mavericks are 1-1 on this trip that will conclude on New Year’s Day in Houston.
• The Kings are hungry for a win having lost six in a row as they start a challenging three-game home stand that also includes Philadelphia and Memphis. They also are looking for their first win under interim coach Doug Christie, who took over for the fired Mike Brown and is 0-1 after the Kings dropped a 132-122 decision at the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
• Sacramento has a strong offensive team, the sort of team the Mavericks have not fared well against recently. The Kings are led by point guard De’Aaron Fox at 26.3 points, 6.3 assists per game. Domantas Sabonis puts up sensational numbers at a five-out center, averaging 20.9 points, 13.5 rebounds and 6 assists per game. DeMar DeRozan also averages 20.9 points.
• It’s the defensive end where the Kings have struggled. They have allowed opponents to make 38 percent from three-point range (28^th in the NBA) and are 16^th in total defensive rating.
• The Mavericks are hoping Kyrie Irving can continue his torrid play. He’s coming off of 46 points in Portland and has averaged 31.3 points while shooting 49 percent in the past four games.
• Daniel Gafford is going to put the finishing touches on a solid December in which he has averaged 12 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He’s averaged 15.5 points and 7 rebounds in the first two games on this trip, both of which Lively missed.

MAVERICKS (20-12) at SACRAMENTO KINGS (13-18)

WHEN: 9 p.m.

WHERE: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento

TV: KFAA, MAVS TV STREAM, NBA TV

RADIO: KEGL 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @ESefko