NBA Game of the Week: Warriors vs. Mavericks

Story posted March 22, 2023 in CommRadio, Sports by Declan Stablow

As the NBA playoff race winds down, the Dallas Mavericks will host the Golden State Warriors on March 22 at 7:30 p.m., for their third matchup of the season after splitting the first two.

Heading into Wednesday’s game, the seventh-seed Mavericks sit just half a game behind the Warriors in the standings. A win for the Mavericks would push them into the sixth seed, and out of the play-in tournament for now.
The Mavericks come into this game following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, snapping a two-game win streak. The Mavs started the off season strong but have struggled as of late, only winning five games since the All-Star break.

Golden State will look to carry its momentum into this contest after snapping a three-game losing skid in a win against the Houston Rockets on Monday. The Warriors have dropped six of their last nine games after winning the previous five.

MVP candidate Luka Doncic has been leading the way for Dallas this season, averaging 33 points, 8.6 rebounds and eight assists on 50% shooting. Doncic is currently second in the league in points per game behind Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid. Kyrie Irving has also helped carry the scoring load, averaging 28.6 points since Dallas acquired him from the Nets in early February. Doncic and Irving are currently the league’s highest scoring guard tandem.

Golden State has its own superstar guard duo, led by reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry, who is currently putting up 29.8 points per game, as well as 6.2 assists and assists. Curry is also having another remarkable season from behind the arc, shooting 43.3% from 3-point land.

The Warriors have also benefitted from the resurgence Klay Thompson has had, putting up his highest scoring totals since tearing his ACL in the 2019 Finals. Curry and Thompson are first and second in the league in 3-pointers made per game, respectively.

Doncic led the Mavericks to a 116-113 victory with 41 points and a triple-double when these teams first met last November in Dallas. Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 32 points in the loss.

The second matchup between these teams saw Golden State come away with a 119-113 victory behind Curry’s 21 points. Spencer Dinwiddie led the Mavericks in scoring with 25 points as Doncic sat out with an injury.

The Mavs will be without their star player for this matchup as well, Luka Doncic will be missing his sixth straight game with a left thigh injury. Kyrie Irving is currently listed as day-to-day after reaggravating a foot injury in Dallas’ loss to the Grizzlies on Monday. Irving was seen exiting the arena in a walking boot.

The Warriors will also be without several key players, as Andrew Wiggins will be missing his seventeenth straight game due to personal reasons. Veteran Andre Iguodala will also be unavailable after fracturing his wrist in a win against Phoenix last Monday.

After two close matchups earlier in the season, Wednesday’s matchup looks to be a thriller as these teams fight for a playoff spot.

Declan Stablow is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email djs7159@psu.edu.