Mavs-Warriors Preview: Butler undefeated with new team

The team Jimmy Butler plays for, and the one he used to be with visits the American Airlines Center on back-to-back nights, starting Wednesday.

And it’s the same Jimmy Butler who has already plagued Mavericks once this season when he was with Miami Heat. They come to Dallas on Thursday.

But first it is the Golden State Warriors who acted for Butler just before the deadline on February 6 with the hope that they can get a large dose of “Playoff Jimmy.”

Don’t remember that Warriors are not very different from Mavericks. Right now, the goal for both teams is simply to put play and care about success in the post season when you get there.

Warriors flirt with .500, just like Mavericks. And both teams made blockbuster movements before the trading deadline.

Golden State gave up Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, a protected first round pick and had to fork over a two-year-old, $ 100 million plus contract extension to get Butler.

He has put on his best face since the agreement happened, and Butler has proven over and over again that his best face is something that every NBA team wants on their side.

In two games with Warriors so far he is an average of 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.5 steals. Golden State is 2-0 with him. Warriors started this season long six-game (which actually goes to seven games with one at Sacramento after the All-Star break) with losses in Utah and Los Angeles Lakers. Then, after getting Butler, they won in Milwaukee and Chicago. It ends Thursday in Houston.

Mavericks already this season has felt that Daggers Butler can throw. He broke Mavericks’ hearts in November with 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists when Heat beat Dallas in overtime in Florida. It was Butler’s dunk in the waning seconds that forced overtime, where he had three points and an assist and the heat won 123-118.

While Warriors will look very different than before with Butler, Mavericks have enough to worry about when it comes to looking in the mirror.

What they see in the reflection is constantly changing. Players fall and fast. Daniel Gafford was the last Monday when he grabbed his left knee on the field after hitting Sacramentos Malik Monk. He is out against Warriors with many more Mavericks.

Mavericks have no choice but to press. The trade deadline is long away. There are no centers or other big men growing on trees out there.

“The games continue,” said coach Jason Kidd. “No one is sorry for us. Such is the league. For us to put or take our ball and go home, it doesn’t work in this league. You have to fight.

“This group is fighting. The group in this dressing room has character. We’re being tested right now. We have to keep the energy and effort. “

Fortunately, or maybe not, it is nothing new for this team to fight through adversity.

“We have been brief since training camp,” Kidd said. “That’s the truth. (Dante) Exum has been out since the first training day. It was also Luka (Doncic). No one complained. We fit up and play, find a way to win. Or we lose and move on. We have been confronted with this since the first day and I think we know how to handle it and that is what we are doing. “

Here’s what else to look for when Golden State visits Wednesday:

• Mavericks’ damage list is long and there is probably no team in the league that needs the All-Star break more. Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Dwight Powell (right hip), Caleb Martin (right hip) and Anthony Davis (left adductor strain) are all out. That’s all beyond Gafford. On the bright side, PJ Washington (ankle displacement) has been upgraded to questionable with a sprained ankle and Dante Exum (Achilles density) is also questionable.
• For Warriors, Big Man Jonathan Kuminga (sprained right ankle) is out.
• Max Christie has so far been the best thing that has happened to Mavericks this season. 6-6 Swingman turned 22 Monday and has scored at least 15 points in all four matches he has played for Mavericks since he was included in the trade for Davis. He comes out of a 15-point, four-bound, three-assistant, two-piece, one-block effort in 129-128 overtime loss to Sacramento Monday. He average 17 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists.
• Kyrie Irving, Fresh Off, appointed Western Conference All-Star team, had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Kings Monday. Mavericks need more of it, but it would surprise no one if he was rested on one of these games. The workload after 44 minutes in the overtime game on Monday will be pretty heavy.
• Warriors are of course led by Steph Curry, who comes out of a fantastic view in Milwaukee as he poured into 38 points in the 125-111 victory over Bucks, playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Curry average 23.3 points and 6.1 assists while hitting 39.2 percent of his three-pointers.
• Mavericks will have to walk small without real veteran centers that are healthy. The only big man is Rookie Kylor Kelley, who is on a two -way contract. Mavericks could use Kessler Edwards, O-Max Prosper or Naji Marshall in the middle, but expect them to run and accelerate the pace as they have to rely strongly on small balls.

Golden State Warriors (27-26) in Dallas Mavericks (28-26)

WHEN: 20.30 Wednesday.

WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas.

TV: KFAA 29, Mavs TVstream, Espn.

RADIO: Kegl 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM ZONA MX (Spanish)

X: @esefko