Kings (8-13) at Mavericks (16-6)
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN, 103.3 FM, Univision, 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: They have won five in a row, 10 of 11 and will be trying to close out a 3-0 home stand . . . This will be the second of a back-to-back, technically. But they don’t come any less taxing than this. They didn’t have to travel. Their home game Saturday was at 1 p.m., giving them an extra four hours of rest. Plus, the huge blowout over New Orleans Saturday afternoon allowed coach Rick Carlisle to rest Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis through in the fourth quarter . . . Doncic will be going for his 19th consecutive game with at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds, which would eclipse Michael Jordan’s 18 consecutive such games, the most since the ABA/NBA merger . . . Searching for a Maverick on a sizzle? Look no further than Seth Curry, who has averaged 10.8 points in the last six games while shooting 50 percent (14-of-28) from 3-point range . . . The Mavericks were not good against the Kings last season, but they had trouble against a lot of teams. They were 0-3 against Sacramento, which outscored the Mavericks on average by nine points per game. Overall, the Kings have won their last four visit to AAC . . . It remains to be seen whether any Mavericks, in particular Kristaps Porzingis, will be given a rest game during on the second night of the back-to-back. But with three days off before Thursday’s Mexico City visit against Detroit, it seems unlikely.
About the Kings: They are on a four-game trip that started in Portland and ends with the Texas Triangle. After opening the trip with a loss to the Blazers, the Kings took San Antonio to overtime on Friday before falling 105-104. It’s rare for treams to play all three Texas teams consecutively, but the Kings will move on to Houston on Monday . . . They have been without two of their best players most of the season, and it’s likely De’Aaron Fox (ankle) and Marvin Bagley Jr. (thumb) will again be unavailable, although Bagley is listed as day-to-day, having recently been cleared for full workouts . . . The Kings are led in scoring by shooting guard Buddy Hield, who is averaging 21 points and takes roughly 60 percent of his shots from 3-point range . . . Former Maverick Harrison Barnes is averaging 16.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Along with sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, Barnes and Hield give the Kings enough punch to stay competitive. The hope for them is that when Fox and Bagley come back, they can make a push up the standings. They have been capable at times, with wins over Boston, Utah and Denver.
Twitter: @ESefko
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