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The Dallas Mavericks will venture to the AT&T Center for the final time this season. The Mavs are going to be lottery bound and will look to play spoiler against the Spurs who are playing the SEGABABA after Friday night’s loss against the Rockets.
The short-handed Spurs will look to fend off a pesky Mavericks team in San Antonio. Here’s what to expect tonight...
San Antonio Spurs (19-10) vs. Dallas Mavericks (8-21)
December 16, 2017 | 7:30 pm
Watch: FSSW, Listen: WOAI
Spurs injuries: Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps), Kyle Anderson (Knee) Tony Parker (Injury Management), Danny Green (Groin)
Mavericks injuries: Seth Curry (leg), Dennis Smith Jr. (hip), Dorian Finney Smith (knee), Josh McRoberts (knee), Nerlens Noel (thumb)
Lamarcus back in the spotlight
Even if only for one night, LaMarcus Aldridge will be back on the floor without Kawhi Leonard tonight. The two times these teams met without Leonard available, Aldridge torched Dallas. Aldridge struggled mightily in being efficient on Tuesday with Leonard back making only 9 of his 23 attempts (39%) look for LaMarcus to get it going against the Mavs front line tonight.
Rudy back in the starting lineup
Rudy Gay will be back in the starting lineup with Kawhi sitting and Anderson hobbled with a bad knee. Gay has looked more comfortable in a starting role the few times he has dressed as a starter. The further we move into this season the more it seems Gay will be a regular starter in some form or facet before the regular season comes to a close.
Spurs look to find their shooting strokes
In Dallas on Tuesday, the Spurs shooting was abysmal from deep. San Antonio was 7/28 from deep (25%) and 12/19 (63%) at the foul line. The Spurs will look to find a rhythm against the same Dallas team that held them to 89 points earlier in the week.
Vegas odds: Spurs by 9.5.
Game prediction: Spurs by 6.
For the Mavericks fan’s perspective, visit Mavs Moneyball.
As always, Tony must dominate Fisher.
PtR's GameThread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR's Twitter feed.