Philadelphia 76ers hope to resurrect season against confident Dallas Mavericks
After starting the season 0-4, Philadelphia has split the first two games of a five match road trip. They 76ers beat the New York Knicks 106-96 on Sunday but lost steam Wednesday night against Oklahoma City to lose 109-103.
They face an uphill task on Friday night as they will be pitched against a buoyant Dallas Mavericks who breezed past the Memphis Grizzlies in the last match to go 5-2 in the season.
Match-up
Dallas has won the last five meetings with Philadelphia at home, four by double figures. The two teams shared the honours last season, with the home team winning each time. In overall match-up, the Mavericks lead Philadelphia 32-26.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks enter the match as clear favourites. Not only are the Mavericks displaying their offensive prowess this year, they are winning games on the defensive end as well. In the seven games this season, the Mavericks
have held their opponents to just 41.7 percent shooting from the floor, while netting in 49.2 percent themselves.
Dallas ranks second in the NBA in both field goal percentage and opponents’ field goal percentage.
The Mavericks are averaging 97.0 points per game and are fourth in the league in holding their opponents at 91.7 points per game.
Mavericks are yet to lose an away game this season. They got their third consecutive away win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last encounter and they look set for 4-0 as they meet the Sixers.
Jason Kidd is one assist away from completing a personal milestone. The 16-year veteran is currently sitting at 10,999 career assists and needs just one more dime to reach 11,000 for his career.
Philadelphia 76ers
With the Mavericks riding high in the season, the odds are really stacked against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers started the season losing four games in a row. Presently at 2-6, they will be looking to resurrect their season
and end a five-match losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks.
Andre Iguodala has missed the past two games because of tendinitis in his right Achilles and is still doubtful for Friday’s encounter.
The Sixers have been reasonable so far on the offensive side and have scored 100 plus points in six of the past seven games. It is the defence which has been their sore point. The Sixers have allowed 102.4 points per game to their
opposition and are ranked 25th in the season in terms of rebounds per game at 40.1.
Key Players
Things have fallen into place for the Mavericks early in the season. Dirk Nowitzki is leading the Mavericks’ offense with 23.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Jason Kidd has been the key playmaker yet again this season and is
among the league leader in assists with 10.9 per game.
For Philadelphia, Elton Brand is averaging team-highs of 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.63 blocks per game and has complemented it with 2.13 steals and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 58.0% from the floor and 77.5% from the
line. The Sixers will need him to lead them from the front as they take on the Mavericks.
Verdict
In the last five games at Dallas the Sixers have been held at only 88.6 points per game and with the Mavericks’ defence at the top of its game, the Sixers will really have to raise their game big time if they are to stand any chance
of beating the Mavericks.
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