The Dallas Mavericks visit the Brooklyn Nets on March 24 at Barclays Center. The Mavericks are 34-37 and sit 11th in the Western Conference, while the Nets are 23-48 and 13th in the East. Dallas won the last meeting 119-107 on February 6.
Dallas is coming off a 123-117 win over Detroit, snapping a four-game losing streak. Brooklyn has struggled recently, losing three straight and eight of their last nine. Both teams will look to build momentum as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Mavericks Preview – Searching for Stability
Dallas has struggled since trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, who remains out with an adductor strain. The Mavericks are 6-12 since Davis went down, and they are still waiting for him, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford to return from injuries.
Without key players, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington have stepped up. Dinwiddie scored a season-high 31 points in Dallas’ win over Detroit, his sixth straight game in double figures. Washington added 27 points and has shot 57% over his last three games.
Dallas is shooting the ball well, hitting over 50% in five of their last six games. However, defensive issues continue to be a concern. The Mavericks are giving up 115 points per game, ranking 12th in the league in scoring defense. With Davis and Gafford out, interior defense has been a weakness, forcing the Mavericks to rely on strong perimeter shooting to stay in games.
In addition to Dinwiddie and Washington, Nate Marshall has been an emerging presence for Dallas. Marshall posted 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Detroit and has become a reliable contributor. If Dallas can maintain their recent shooting form and limit defensive breakdowns, they have a good chance of building momentum during this four-game road trip.
Nets Preview – Playing Hard Despite Struggles
Brooklyn has struggled this season and is just 3-14 over their last 17 games. The Nets have battled hard, though, with eight of their recent losses coming by single digits. They have also blown five double-digit leads since March 4, showing inconsistency late in games.
Trendon Watford stepped up in Brooklyn’s most recent loss, scoring a season-high 26 points in 30 minutes off the bench. Cameron Johnson added 20 points and has scored 20 or more in three of his last four games. Johnson’s recent play has helped the Nets remain competitive, but they lack depth due to multiple injuries.
Brooklyn’s offense has struggled, ranking near the bottom of the NBA at 111.4 points per game. Their defense, however, has kept them competitive at times. The Nets allow just 47.8% shooting from opponents, ranking 10th in the NBA. Despite their record, Brooklyn has been able to frustrate teams with their defensive effort.
With D’Angelo Russell and Ziaire Williams both questionable, the Nets will rely heavily on Cameron Johnson and role players like Watford and Nic Claxton. Claxton is averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds this season and will need to control the paint against Dallas’ smaller frontcourt.
Key Matchups to Watch
The matchup between Spencer Dinwiddie and Cameron Johnson will be important. Dinwiddie’s recent scoring surge has powered Dallas’ offense, while Johnson has been Brooklyn’s most reliable option. Whichever player can maintain their scoring touch may swing the momentum in this contest.
In the paint, the Mavericks will need to find answers defensively without Davis and Gafford. Nic Claxton’s rebounding and interior presence could be a factor if Dallas cannot control second-chance points. Brooklyn’s ability to create extra possessions could keep them close.
Betting Prediction
Dallas is a slight favorite in this matchup, with the Mavericks playing better offensively despite injuries. The Nets’ recent trend of close losses shows they can stay competitive, but their inability to close games remains a concern.
With Dinwiddie and Washington in strong form, Dallas should have enough scoring to pull away late. The Mavericks’ shooting has been strong, and if they can limit Brooklyn’s inside scoring, they should control the pace. Expect Dallas to secure the win and cover the spread.
Pick: Mavericks -3.5
