With just a few games left in the 2023-24 season, the Dallas Mavericks’ goal is clear: climb up the Western Conference standings and finish anywhere but below the sixth seed. In order to do so, however, Luka Doncic and Co. understand very well that they have to beat the Sacramento Kings.
Why the Kings, you ask? Well, Sac-Town is currently the sixth seed in the West and only ahead the Mavericks because they have won the first two games of their season series. Win and Dallas will go up in the standings for the automatic playoff qualifications, and lose and the chances of them ending in the Play-In spots would be high.
Luka Doncic Issues Sacramento Kings Warning To Dallas Mavericks
Considering the situation, the Mavericks have no other choice but to win. Doncic himself acknowledged the importance of their upcoming two matches against the Kings after their win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, noting that he and the rest of Dallas must be prepared for an all-out battle.
“Very big games. It’s tough to play in Sacramento. The crowd going, they have a lot of great players. It’s going to be two tough games for sure. We gotta be ready, we gotta stay together for 48 minutes and be physical,” Doncic said, via Landon Thomas of Mavs Fan for Life.
The Mavs play the Kings on Tuesday and Friday, both at Golden 1 Center, so that’s an extra challenge for them. Winning games on the road is always tough, and they can certainly expect the Sacramento faithful to make it an unwelcoming environment for them. They also know very well what’s at stake.
While both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back, it’s always more difficult for the road team. The Kings will have some sort of rest advantage since they didn’t have to travel after hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
Can the Dallas Mavericks Beat the Sacramento Kings?
Sure enough, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks won’t be favored in this match-up. The odds are already stacked against them after the Sacramento Kings dominated in their first two meetings. And given the whole situation, they are just at a disadvantage.
Despite that, though, the Kings certainly cannot underestimate Jason Kidd’s men. Head coach Mike Brown can’t expect Dallas to be the same as their previous meetings as well.
Ever since their last showdown in January, the Mavericks have drastically changed. They have addressed their biggest needs defensively with the additions of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline. Now they have new weapons who can help in containing Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox.
Of course it won’t be easy, but there is also reason to believe Dallas has a fighting chance now. Not to mention that the Mavs are winners of three straight and eight of their last 10 games.
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