The Dallas Mavericks (36-39, 28-44-3 ATS, 39-35 O/U) meet with the Indiana Pacers (33-42, 39-36 ATS, 38-36 O/U) in an inter-conference bout on Monday evening.
The Mavericks were charged with a road loss by the Hornets on Sunday while the Pacers were dealt a road loss by the Hawks in their previous clash.
Updates Injury for Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers
The Mavericks are just getting started on a very long road trip. Dallas has been struggling as of late, dropping four straight. They lost a disappointing 117-109 decision to the Hornets on Friday and struggled again in a rough 110-104 road loss in Sunday’s rematch.
The Mavericks are in danger of missing the conference playoffs after falling to 11th place. In their last ten games, they are 3-7, and in their last three road games, they have covered just once.
Luka Doncic keeps it going, scoring in double figures in all but two games this month. Currently, the 24-year-old point guard is averaging 32.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG.
Doncic scored 40 points (12-29 FG, 7-16 3Pt, 9-10 FT) with 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 4 turnovers in 40 minutes as the Mavericks fell to the Hornets on Sunday.
He was also called for a technical foul, his 16th of the year, which results in an automatic one-game suspension.
The Mavericks lost to the Hornets for the second time in three days, leaving them without a chance to advance to the Western Conference Play-In Tournament despite Doncic’s stellar performance from a statistical standpoint.
Doncic will miss Monday’s game in Indiana due to a suspension unless the NBA overturns his 16th technical.
If that’s the case, Doncic will be good to go for three games next week, including Wednesday’s showdown in Philadelphia against the 76ers. The following weekend, Dallas has a back-to-back on the road against Miami and Atlanta.
- Kyrie Irving – Active
Kyrie Irving has been helpful since his arrival in a trade last month, even if he wasn’t at his best on Sunday when they lost.
In 35 minutes of action, Irving scored 18 points (5-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), and added 4 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, and 2 steals.
The veteran guard has been dealing with a nagging foot injury and bouncing around the lineup, making it difficult for him to get his shot to fall over the last week or so. However, Irving has been able to supplement his scoring on the defensive end, recording at least one steal and one block in three consecutive games.
Irving scored 38 points against the Lakers and 28 points against the Grizzlies in his last two games without Doncic.
The veteran point guard is averaging 27.2 PPG and 5.5 APG and has scored 30 or more points in five of his last eight games.
After playing four games away from home, the Indiana Pacers are relieved to be back. The Pacers went 1-3 in the four road bouts, highlighted by a win against the Raptors.
On Friday night, Indiana fell to Boston, and on Saturday, Atlanta defeated them 143–130. The Pacers have dropped to three games out of the final play-in spot in the conference and need wins immediately as the season’s final weeks approach.
- Tyrese Haliburton – Questionable
After scoring 19 points on Saturday in a loss, Tyrese Haliburton has now scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games.
The point guard averages 20.7 points per game and 10.4 assists per game. He scored 32 points against the Mavericks last month.
However, Haliburton’s status for Monday’s game against the Mavericks is in doubt due to an ankle injury.
Haliburton played through the pain in his ankle and finished with 32 minutes of action on Saturday, but the Pacers may want to take it easy on him heading into a busy four-game week.
If he is unable to play, McConnell and Andrew Nembhard would see increased playing time. However, fans will have to wait until closer to the game for an official update on his condition.
