The Sixers are in Texas at the American Airlines Center to face Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks tonight for their second post all star break game. Their last meeting on Nov. 16 the Sixers were in control of the game up by one with four minutes remaining, though they ended up losing 92-86. Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel both had double-doubles with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Okafor and 12 points and 12 rebounds for Noel. The Sixers look to replicate their success inside tonight against a Mavericks team not known for their defensive prowess. Though they have a capable defensive center in Zaza Pachulia, it'll be tough for him to keep both Okafor and Noel away from the bucket and boards.
The Sixers come into the game on a three game losing streak, as well as only winning two of their last 9 after a promising stretch over the turn of the New Year. While the arrival of Ish Smith has turned things around tremendously, there are still struggles at times to turn the talent on the court into wins. The Sixers returned from their All-Star break losing to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night 121-114. Though the Sixers kept it close in the fourth quarter, they never really managed to get a push back into the game.
The Mavericks also come in a struggling team, losing 5 of their last 6, albeit to a few likely playoff teams. They've slipped down to the 6th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 29-27. After being spurned by DeAndre Jordan in free agency over the summer, the Mavs retooled on the fly adding Wes Matthews from Portland and the aforementioned Pachulia from Milwaukee, as well as a healthy Chandler Parsons. The Mavs hope to turn their fortunes tonight against the Sixers to vault back into serious playoff contention.
Game Notes:
- Dallas is allowing 60.1 percent shooting at the rim this season, among the worst in the NBA
- The Sixers have lost their last 6 games to Dallas
- Philly has shot 27-62 (43.5 percent) from 3pt range in their last two games, a mark that would be first in the NBA over a full season
- Joel Embiid is traveling to Qatar for the next step of his rehab
- The Sixers were involved in a trade last week, absorbing Joel Anthony and a second round pick. Though this trade may be voided after another trade participant Donatas Motiejunas is being looked at for injury concerns. JaKarr Sampson was waived to make room for Anthony
Projected Starting Lineups
Sixers
PG: Ish Smith (15.1ppg/7.8apg)
SG: Nik Stauskas (7.6ppg/2.3rpg)
SF: Robert Covington (11.4ppg/5.8rpg)
PF: Nerlens Noel (11.0ppg/8.2rpg)
C: Jahlil Okafor (17.1ppg/7.3rpg)
Injuries: Joel Embiid (foot)
Mavericks
PG: Deron Williams (14.3ppg/5.4apg)
SG: Wes Matthews (12.0ppg/2.9rpg)
SF: Chandler Parsons (12.8ppg/4.4rpg)
PF: Dirk Nowitzki (17.4ppg/6.6rpg)
C: Zaza Pachulia (10.0ppg/10.9rpg)
Injuries: Deron Williams (Probable, calf), Devin Harris ( Probable, toe)
Game Information
Time/Location: 7:00pm Eastern, American Airlines Arena
TV: CSN Philly
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Stream: csnphilly.com
