The Mavs are in a good position to get back on track as the Nets have been awful as of late.

Back home from a short toad trip

The Dallas Mavericks are back home after a three-game road trip. They have lost their last two games (108-95 to the Los Angeles Lakers and 106-101 to the Oklahoma City Thunder) and shot just 35.7% in that stretch. They are now 21-12 (9-7 at home), good for fifth in the Western Conference.

As they try to break out of a slump, top MVP candidate Luka Doncic remains as the main catalyst. The 20-year-old, as you know, is averaging all-around numbers on the season – 29 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.2 steals.

The Mavs’ second and third scorers – Kristaps Porzingis (17.3 PPG) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (16.2 PPG in starts) – both missed the team’s last game due to injuries. They are still considered day-to-day heading into tomorrow. If the two are kept out, look for Dorian Finney-Smith and Seth Curry to have an increased production.

The downtrending Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are continuing to take the Ls. Following Tuesday’s 122-115 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they fell to a 16-16 record (7-10 on the road) and became losers in six of their last nine games.

Injuries to Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert have been a big hit to the team, and it has led to Spencer Dinwiddie delivering great numbers. He’s averaging 26 points and 7.2 assists per game since entering the lineup on November 16th, and he’ll be fresh-off his seventh game this season of having 30 or more points.

Alongside Dinwiddie will be Joe Harris (14.6 PPG), Taurean Prince (12.2 PPG), and Garrett Temple (10.6 PPG), who could be in for a tough match-up with Doncic. Big men Jarrett Allen (12 PPG, 10.7 RPG) and DeAndre Jordan (8 PPG, 10 RPG), meanwhile, will have an easier day on defense should Porzingis decide to stay out.

PREDICTION:

The Mavs get the win, 118-110, thanks to yet another strong performance from Luka Doncic.