The times, they are a-changin’.
If the Mavericks learned anything from their loss to Boston on Monday, it’s that this is the point in an NBA season when things are different.
Maybe not drastically so. And maybe not for every game. But they tilt more from the first-half-of-the-season feeling-out process to more of a prepare-for-playoff-combat mode.
They saw it against the Celtics. It was obvious to everybody. The message from the visitors at American Airlines Center and the referees was that the physicality meter is going to be pushed to the red line when the opportunity arises.
“They’re going to let you be physical out there,” said Tim Hardaway Jr. after Tuesday’s workout. “I think taking that away from that game against Boston – the refs are going to let you play. They’re going to let you be physical on both ends of the floor. You just got to pick and choose your spots wisely when to do so.”
And don’t expect it to change when the Phoenix Suns come calling on Wednesday night.
They aren’t the most physically imposing team, but they are playing well and any team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is not going to play pitty-pat with their opponent.
The Suns have won six in a row to pass the Mavericks and a lot of other teams in the Western Conference standings. And they will be looking to start a seven-game, 12-day trip on a positive note in Dallas.
It will be up to the Mavericks to ramp up their physical play heading toward the All-Star break in three weeks.
“The refs are going to let you play smart, but physical at the same time,” Hardaway said. “You just got to play, and move on to the next play if you don’t get the call.
“(It’s that time of year), not only for the players, but for the refs calling the game, the coaches, the league in general. They’re gearing up for that caliber of basketball. I think around the All-Star break, after the break, that’s when you see it.”
PHOENIX SUNS (25-18) at MAVERICKS (24-19)
X: @ESefko
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