Dallas digging deep as road trip resumes
The Mavericks subdued the Lakers with relative ease about 18 hours ago. But are Rick Carlisle’s troops truly ready to take on the class of the Western Conference?
Tonight, Dallas visits Golden State for the second time this season. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Warriors odds of -8000 to handle their business at home. Conversely, the Mavs enter Oracle Arena +2000 underdogs.
Fresh off one of its best efforts of the campaign, Carlisle’s club is trying to dig out of a massive hole in the Southwest Division. Of course, sending Los Angeles to a 101-89 loss and keeping pace with Steve Kerr’s thoroughbreds represent completely different subjects. The Dubs already smashed Dallas on Nov. 9, 116-95, with Stephen Curry tallying 24 points and six assists.
Speaking of the reigning MVP, he’s hoping to conclude a somewhat challenging month on a positive note. Curry’s shooting just 37.2 percent from beyond the arc over his past 15 games. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant has led the squad in scoring on six occasions in that same span.
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At the end of the day, the Mavericks simply don’t possess enough firepower to mount a credible upset bid. Even if Curry continues to produce at a lower-than-usual rate, look for Klay Thompson or Draymond Green to step up as Durant’s primary sidekick. In other words, Big D should refrain from reaching for those New Year’s Eve champagne bottles early.
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