GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (29-7) at MAVERICKS (19-18)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas.
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, ESPN.
Radio: The Eagle 97.1 FM; Univision Zona MX 99.1 FM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: They have their first three-game winning streak since early November and are back above .500 for the first time since Dec. 13, when they were 14-13 . . . In his two games back from the COVID-19 protocols, Luka Dončić has averaged 17.5 points, 12.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds. He’s missed triple doubles by one and two rebounds, respectively . . . The Mavericks are still fighting through health and safety protocols. Kristaps Porzingis, Boban Marjanovic and Isaiah Thomas are out, while Trey Burke is questionable after returning from the COVID-19 list . . . They have kept the last four opponents to 96 points or lower, the first time they’ve had a streak like that since 2019. But it will be a difficult streak to keep intact as the Warriors average 111.3 points per game, sixth in the league . . . Dwight Powell has quietly come up with a nice run of late. In the last eight games, he has averaged 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and has shot 63.6 percent . . . Coach Jason Kidd said that Jalen Brunson is, for the moment, the starter alongside Dončić in the backcourt. Brunson has scored in double figures in 18 consecutive games. He’s averaged 17.6 points and 6.1 assists during that stretch . . . Brace yourself, but the Mavericks have crept into the top-10 in overall defensive rating with their recent defensive stands. They are giving up an average now of 108.2 points per 100 possessions, ninth-best in the league.
About the Warriors: For anybody who doesn’t believe in in the importance of defense, the Warriors can put you in your place. They are No. 1 in fewest points allowed (101.5) and lowest opponents field-goal percentage (42.6 percent). It should come as no surprise that the Warriors are tops in the NBA in overall defensive rating at 102.6 points allowed per 100 possessions. Breaking it down to a more understandable number, they are scoring 9.8 points more than their opponent per game . . . They have the best record in the NBA and also are 12-4 on the road, just behind Utah for the best road record in the league . . . They are coming off a 115-108 win over Miami behind Jordan Poole’s game-best 32 points. Poole, who is a candidate for most-improved player, averaging a career-best 18.1 points per game, a 50 percent jump over his 12 points per game in his second season last year . . . The Warriors are, of course, Steph Curry’s team. He’s the MVP frontrunner at the moment, averaging 27.2 points, 6.1 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. He’s missed only two games in this crazy season and is shooting 39.3 percent from 3-point range . . . The Warriors figure to get stronger soon with sharpshooting Klay Thompson close to returning from more than a year out with a knee injury . . . They also hope to get center James Wiseman (knee) back soon . . . This is the first of a two-game road trip as the Warriors visit New Orleans on Thursday.
Twitter: @ESefko
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