Warriors vs. Mavericks watch guide: Lineups, injuries, player usage

Share

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Warriors returned to the Bay Area last week hoping to change their fortunes by taking advantage of their longest stretch at home this season. Now that they have, they’re seeking perfection.

A win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday would give the Warriors a five-game win streak and their first 5-0 homestand exactly four years, since Dec. 16-28, 2015.

Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4:30, with tip-off at Chase Center scheduled for 5:40.

[RELATED: How to watch Warriors-Mavericks]

The Warriors (9-24) have beaten the Pelicans, Timberwolves, Rockets and Suns in succession, winning nearly as many games during the past eight days as over the previous eight weeks. The defense has been the key, as those four opponents averaged 101.3 points per game.

Dallas (20-10), however, comes to town with the NBA’s top-rated offense, at 115.8, and its No. 4 scoring offense at 116.7 points per game. Luke Doncic, the team’s budding superstar, returned to the lineup Thursday after missing four games with an ankle sprain.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Mavericks

F Dorian Finney-Smith

F Kristaps Porzingis

C Dwight Powell

G Tim Hardaway Jr.

G Luka Doncic

Warriors

F Glenn Robinson III

F Draymond Green

C Willie Cauley-Stein

G Damion Lee

G D’Angelo Russell

INJURY REPORT

Mavericks: F Isaiah Roby (right plantar fascia) is listed as out.

Warriors: G Stephen Curry (left hand fracture), C/F Kevon Looney (left abdominal soreness), F Eric Paschall (right hip contusion) and G Klay Thompson (right ACL rehab) are listed as out.

ROTATION OUTLOOK

Mavericks: Though many thought Dallas was primed to make a postseason push, few could have imagined they would approach midseason among the top four teams in the Western Conference ... Consider the Mavs’ success a testament to Doncic, who entered the season as a possible All-Star but has played his way into the MVP conversation. He’s first in triple-doubles (eight), third in scoring (29.1 ppg), third in assists (8.8 pg) and leads the Mavs in rebounding (9.6 pg) ... SG Seth Curry seems to have seized the Sixth Man role, averaging 9.5 ppg and 21.6 mpg. He’s shooting 40.0 pct beyond the arc, with a high game of 30 points ... Other key players off the bench are PGs Delon Wright and J.J. Barea and Jalen Brunson, PF Maxi Kleber ... Porzingis has run hot and cold this season, shooting at least 50 percent six times and 40 percent or below in 11 games ... They’re coming in hot, having made at least 14 3-pointers in each of the last eight games, averaging 15.8 triples over that span. They are 10-1 on the road when they make more 3s than their opponent ... Only once this season, a 114-99 loss to the Clippers on Nov. 26, have the Mavs scored fewer than 100 points.

Warriors: There should be plenty of motivation, as the Mavericks are responsible for handing the Warriors their worst loss of the season, a 142-94 walloping on Nov. 20 in Dallas ... The Warriors over last four games are averaging 110.0 points, their opponents 101.5. Most significant, they’ve held opponents to 41.1-pct. shooting from the field, 28.3 pct. beyond the arc ... Lee has been stellar during this stretch, averaging 18.0 ppg and 9.3 rpg, with 50-pct. shooting from deep, 100 percent (23-of-23) shooting from the line. He has made his last 27 FTs ... The team’s defensive rating during the streak is 97.6 ... The Warriors are the second team in the last 20 seasons to reel off four consecutive wins in the first 33 games, having entered the streak with win percentage blow .300 ... After a subpar shooting performance (eight points, 2-of-9 FG) against the Rockets on Christmas Day, G/F Alec Burks bounced back when it counted vs. the Suns, scoring nine points (4-of-4 FG) during the fourth-quarter comeback. He has scored in double figures in 14 of the last 15 games ... Rookie F/C Alen Smailagic made his NBA debut Friday night, scoring four points in five minutes ... This is the Warriors’ sixth back-to-back set this season. They are 1-4 on the second night.

Officials: Tom Washington (crew chief), Mark Lindsay, Evan. Scott.

Contact Us