3 things to look for when the Mavericks face the Wizards

The 14-8 Dallas Mavericks ride a five-game winning streak into the nation’s capital Thursday to face the 2-17 Washington Wizards at 6pm CST at Capital One Arena. The two teams enter this matchup on vastly different pitches, as the Wizards will try to snap a 15-game skid against Dallas, the latest in a long line of formidable foes in a particularly unforgiving stretch of their schedule. Over the past two and a half weeks, Washington’s list of opponents has included Knicks, CelticsThe Clippers, Bucks and Cavaliers, as well as the Bulls and Pacers, who don’t own winning records but are both in the process of qualifying for the postseason. The Wizards went 0-for-November and have beaten just one other team this season, taking both games of a back-to-back set against the Hawks on Oct. 28 and 30. Their last game, a 118-87 loss in Cleveland, gave the Cavs a chance to rest their starters without anyone on their side playing more than 31 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks have hit their stride lately with contributions from their stars and from further down the depth chart the past few weeks, most recently overcoming a 15-point deficit Tuesday with a thrilling 121-116 win against the Grizzlies to clinch a Wild Card spot in the NBA Cup tournament and climb to third place in the Western Conference standings.

Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma is day-to-day with a rib injury, Kyshawn George left the game against the Cavs in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Forward Naji Marshall has missed the Mavericks’ last two games with illness, but could return Thursday.

Poorly fitting parts

While undoubtedly a challenge for a rebuilding club, the schedule hardly accounts for all of the Wizards’ issues. The roster is an odd mix of players at very different points in their careers, with a group of veterans like guard Malcolm Brogdon, center Jonas Valanciunas and forward Kuzma; a group of raw but exciting youngsters like center Alex Sarr, guards Kyshawn George and Carlton Carrington and forward Bilal Coulibaly; and in a group by himself, sixth-year shooting guard and leading scorer Jordan Poole.

Coulibaly, George and Sarr, Washington’s trio of European projects, have all made their names as prospects with their defense, but their length and versatility on switches hasn’t stopped the Wizards from allowing 119.9 points per 100 possessions. Coulibaly started the season looking like his development on the offensive side of the ball would soon match his defensive potential, averaging 19.4 points over his first five games, but has cooled significantly since Brogdon’s return from injury cut into his touches.

Perhaps wisely given the team’s current bleak outlook, head coach Brian Keefe has prioritized Sarr’s development over short-term success, starting the second overall pick of the 2024 draft in all 19 games. The move has given Sarr room to show encouraging signs of growth, as the big man ranks seventh in the league in blocks at 1.8 per. match. Although his scoring has been more uneven away from the rim, he hit 4 of his 5 3-point attempts against the Bulls on November 26th. It has also cost some floor time for Valanciunas, a longtime Mav killer who is averaging 12.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. battle, doing most of his damage near the basket.

Pivot point

In the midst of the Wizards’ seesaw of youth at one end and experience at the other is Poole, who also serves as the team’s focal point on the court. The 25-year-old doesn’t exactly fit the Wizards’ youth movement and doesn’t exactly fit in a mentor role at this point in his career. He’s had a mixed record lately as he’s battled a hip injury, but has shot a whopping 41.6% from deep this year, a skill that might better serve a playoff contender at the trade deadline.

Just as the Mavericks’ starting perimeter defense looked to continue chugging through Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson’s return against Memphis and holding Ja Morant to five first-half points, the dam broke as he poured in 26 in the second half before head coach Jason Kidd sent in PJ Washington to cap things, with Quentin Grimes also capping the comeback. Poole could be in for a long night if his young backcourt mates or wing Corey Kispert can’t keep the Mavericks from focusing on him. Carrington, another teenage defensive whiz who also leads NBA rookies in assists and steals, should see more action at shooting guard if George sits.

Wish list

The Mavericks have won nine of their last 10, a run long enough to survive Lukas’ three-game absence but one that has required 32-year-old Kyrie Irving to perform at a high level for a long time, and under the likes of Washington, Grimes, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Spencer Dinwiddie, Marshall, Maxi Kleber, literally every guy in the rotation has either started or been asked to play a few quarters as a starter. While the team hasn’t been immune to the curse of the losing game, having to hold starters late only to lose to the Jazz on Nov. 14, the best-case scenario for this one is a chance to get Jaden Hardy to continue practicing. it’s strong and some well-deserved fuel for Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Jazian Gortman.

How to see/hear

Channel 29, MAVS TV, radio broadcast 97.1fm.