Mavericks vs. Warriors
Oakland, CA – The Dallas Mavericks’ only victory in their last five games came against Golden State. It’s been a little more than two weeks since the Warriors were victorious.
Looking to bounce back from a loss to the last-place team in the Western Conference, the visiting Mavericks try to extend the Warriors’ season high losing streak to nine games Monday night when the teams meet for the second time in six days.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Mavericks -4.5 point spread favorites for Monday’s game against the Warriors. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 89% of more the 1060 bets for this game have been placed on the Mavericks -4.5.
Despite a career-high 46 points from Golden State’s Monta Ellis, Dallas (31-19) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 110-101 home win over the Warriors on Wednesday. Two nights later, however, the Southwest Division-leading Mavericks lost 117-108 at home to Minnesota – the club tied with Golden State (13-36) for the fewest wins in the West – for their fourth defeat in five games.
Dallas has allowed opponents to shoot 52.0 percent and average 109.6 points during that slump.
"We need to dig down and find some pride,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "It’s as simple as that. We’re not going to be good until we play hard."
The Mavericks will likely need a complete effort at Golden State. The Warriors (13-36), who last dropped nine in a row from Nov. 21-Dec. 6, 2008, haven’t won since beating New Jersey 111-79 on Jan. 22, but have taken five of their last six home meetings with Dallas including the last two.
Stopping Ellis is something the Mavericks have been unable to do of late. After scoring 37 points in Golden State’s 111-103 win at Dallas on Nov. 24, the fifth-year pro went 17 of 23 from the field during his career night Wednesday. He’s averaging 33.5 points on 53.1 percent shooting in his last four games against the Mavericks.
"That was a remarkable performance by Monta,” Golden State coach Don Nelson said after Wednesday’s loss. "He didn’t have a great supporting cast. But he fought and kept us in the game.”
Corey Maggette (20 points) and C.J. Watson (14) were the only other players in double figures for the Warriors, who shot 49.4 percent but committed 20 turnovers and allowed the Mavericks to make 54.4 percent of their shots.
Jason Terry scored 21 points and All-Star Dirk Nowitzki added 20 for Dallas in that contest. In the rematch, Nowitzki will try to put an embarrassing turn of events behind him.
Nowitzki did not start Friday against Minnesota after he was late for the Mavericks’ pregame shootaround. He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds in his first appearance off the bench since December 2009, but felt he let down his teammates.
"I was almost 30 minutes late,” Nowitzki said. "That was a distraction and it’s my fault.”
Golden State looks to avoid a fourth consecutive home loss after falling 104-95 to Oklahoma City on Saturday. While Ellis was held to 15 points, Maggette had 24 and Stephen Curry added 23 as the Warriors fell to 0-12 when failing to score 100 points.
Maggette is averaging 25.2 points in his last 26 games.
Posted: 2/8/2010 12:25AM ET