Mavs-Spurs preview: Now, it’s a matter of beating the odds

Try as they might – and their available players clearly are the epitome of worker bees right now – the Mavericks simply are fighting odds that are stacked too high against them.

And unless they get some help, it’s likely to stay that way. And there’s no guarantee that any help is forthcoming in the near future.

The Mavericks are preparing for Monday night’s first of two games in San Antonio as if they are going to be more shorthanded than ever.

The eight players who missed Sunday afternoon’s 125-116 loss to Phoenix are still going to be out, coach Jason Kidd said. Add on Brandon Williams, who suffered left hamstring soreness in the second half against the Suns, and perhaps Dwight Powell, who conked heads with Kessler Edwards – a meeting of the minds that resulted in stitches for both players. Powell did not return against Phoenix.

So the list of players that Jason Kidd knows he will have reads like this: Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caleb Martin, Dante Exum and Edwards.

But Martin has been operating under a minutes restriction, as has Powell.

So a seven Maverick army will try to do battle with the Spurs, who are without Victor Wembanyama, who is out for the remainder of the season to deal with blood clot issues.

And if the Mavericks hope to stay relevant in the chase for a spot in the play-in tournament, they must reverse their tailspin ASAP. The players who are left have no choice but to press on.

“This is our job,” said Naji Marshall. “Wish the best for your brothers. Hate to see them go out like that, especially when it’s such a good team and a great season up to this point. I’ll just play as hard as I can until they get back.”

Playing hard is not the issue. It’s having enough bodies to compete when you’re outnumbered.

“Guys are playing hard from start to finish and that’s all we can control is our effort and energy and guys are doing that,” Kidd said. “We’re going to make some shots. We’re going to miss some shots. But staying together, that’s what they’ve done with all the injuries. No one’s complaining.”

Here’s what else to look for as the Mavericks play in San Antonio for the first time this season:

• Even without the 7-4 Wembanyama, the Spurs no doubt will attack the paint and try to dominate the interior, which is what the Suns did on Sunday. They piled up 68 points in the paint, their most this season. The Mavericks will have 6-8 Kessler Edwards and 6-7 Naji Marshall. Everybody else is 6-6 or shorter.
• Speaking of Marshall, he’s been on a serious run lately. With 34 points Sunday and 29 on Friday against Memphis, he has had back-to-back 25-point games for the first time in his career. He’s averaging 28.3 points, 12 rebounds and 4.7 assists over the last three games.
• The Mavericks have lost five in a row, tying their season-long losing streak. The nine-point loss on Sunday was their narrowest margin of defeat during the losing streak (an average of 17.8 points).
• The Spurs are 7-8 in games De’Aaron Fox has played since he arrived in a trade from the Sacramento Kings. He has averaged 19.3 points and 6.5 assists.
• The Spurs are coming off a 141-124 loss Sunday at Minnesota. In that game, the Wolves shot 56 percent, including 50 percent (21-of-42) from three-point range.
• Stephon Castle is among the rookie of the year contenders, averaging 13.4 points, 3.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. But in the last six games, he’s put up 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (32-33) at SAN ANTONIO SPURS (26-36)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Monday.

WHERE: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio.

TV: KFAA 29, MAVSTV STREAM.

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

X: @ESefko