GDT: Bucks vs. Mavs 12/28/15 7:30pm CT

[Underdog]

The Dallas Mavericks know that J.J. Barea's astounding play won't last but they hope he can keep it up until Deron Williams comes back.

Barea will likely start at point guard for Williams for the third straight game Monday night when the Mavericks host the lowly Milwaukee Bucks.

Dallas (17-13) has won consecutive games without Williams, who is out with a strained left hamstring. He is listed as day to day but the Mavericks don't want to rush the oft-injured guard back.

"We're gonna make sure that he's ready to come back," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't see it long term so we'll see."

Barea has totaled 58 points and 16 assists in his last two games, making 22 of 34 shots. He scored 26 in Saturday's 118-111 win over Chicago.

"He's aggressive," Carlisle said. "He's been stroking it and so, you know, we encourage guys to be aggressive."

Barea is averaging 10.0 points and has only averaged in double digits twice before in his career. The Mavericks know they have caught lightning in a bottle but aren't complaining.

"We can't live off of this long term but right now, with D-Will missing some games, we need some guys to step up," Carlisle said. "J.J. has stepped up."

Another player who has stepped up is center Zaza Pachulia, who posted his 16th double-double with 17 points and 12 boards Saturday. Pachulia had 15 double-doubles last season with the Bucks in his second stint with the club before he was traded to Dallas in July.

Milwaukee (12-19) was routed 111-90 by Toronto at home Saturday. Khris Middleton scored 20 and Greg Monroe had 19 and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who were outscored 35-11 in the fourth quarter.

The Bucks don't play at a fast pace, averaging 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes. They average 19.3 points off turnovers for one of the NBA's better marks and can be dangerous as the only team to defeat Golden State.

"Tomorrow is another difficult game against a team that doesn't have a great record but they're the kind of team that gives us a lot of problems," Carlisle said. "High energy, great athleticism, an attacking style so we're going to have to be disciplined, we're going to have to be very smart playing Milwaukee."

The Bucks start a four-game trip having lost 12 of 13 on the road. They won consecutive games -- albeit versus Phoenix and Philadelphia -- prior to Saturday.

"It's a tough road trip but we're ready for it," Middleton said. "We've been playing better so we've got to go out there and try and take a couple games on the road."

Monroe has seven of his 15 double-doubles in his last 10 games. His 9.8 elbow touches per game places him third in the league while John Henson ranks among the NBA's leaders with an average of 5.4 paint touches.

The Mavs have won five straight over the Bucks, getting 28 points from Chandler Parsons in a 125-102 rout the last time they met Dec. 7, 2014.

Henson missed both meetings last season with a sprained left foot.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400828351

[Melonhead]

Things Mavs have to look out for tonight:

Dont play down to competition; Dont fall in the trap of playing slow like the Bucks

Limit Bucks second chances by rebounding well, because Greg Monroe is a good rebounder albeit a lot slower than I thought.

Play fast, and if the three isnt falling, find other ways to score.

[yahyes]

Bucks record is less than mediocre this year. The Mavs can't overlook them cause of their record.

[EricaLubarsky]

Bucks are the kind of team that gives us (and the Warriors) fits. They just play tough, man-defense, guarding the three and making team playmaking tough. We're going to need an Ellis-like performance from Felton/Harris/JJB and/or some vintage Dirk. They're going to slow down our threes and interrupt our passing lanes.

Play solid iso ball and work on our defense and we'll be fine. Then again, our defense and isolation ball is one of our weaknesses. A Parsons breakout game could really help.

[Kante]

They are athletic, which gets the Mavs inn trouble most of the time. Force them to be jumpshooters.

[yahyes]

Making it a fast pace game early is what the Mavs need to do.

[Kante]

EKS: Barea, Matthews, PARSONS, Dirk & Pachulia.

[Underdog]

Parsons in starting lineup...

[yahyes]

Parsons has to be a starter to start off a game for rest of the season. He looks back to 100 percent.

[yahyes]

I want to see how much offensively can Jenkins put in. A game like this can be a good showing.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I once thought we had too many pgs, but each brings a positive to this team.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

That's what felton can do. He can hit big shots when they count.

[Underdog]

Nice first quarter.

[Melonhead]

Well, I knew Harris was going to be taking the last shot of the quarter, but I have to give him credit for going to the rim instead of settling on an offbalanced three. Powell able to clean it up.

Great start, just dont get complacent.

[Kante]

Anyone knows the career-high for Bayless...?

[Melonhead]

I love Mcgee tapping out ofensive rebounds

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Javale has a low BBIQ. Should have passed that.

[turin]

Charlie V making a nice impact off the bench.

[yahyes]

When the Mavs get on fastbreaks they can be a force

[turin]

Nice dime by Parsons to Zaza who had a great finish.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Refs are a joke...per usual.

[turin]

If Parsons can string together 4 or 5 solid games like this in a row, he'll be moving off my hate list and upgraded to disliked. :-O

[yahyes]

Solid start to a half. Especially when Dirk doesn't have to do all the work.

[Underdog]

Solid half, but I'd like to see better effort on the defensive end.

[turin]

Super ball movement and Matthews finishes with a 3

[Melonhead]

Dirk having a rough shooting night. Whats his 3 point fg avg for the month of december? Feel like he's cooled off a lot.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

This Mavs team hustles. Refreshing to see.

[Dan1]

We are looking good lately.

[turin]

Nice not to see opposition dropping bs 3's by the handful tonight

[Melonhead]

My goodness the defense is so active. Which keeps leading to great things in transition. Close it out Mavs

[turin]

Dirk is having a rough night shooting. :-(

[Melonhead]

Here comes the Bucks run. It was coming eventually

[Melonhead]

Way too complacent all second half. Good on Ray Ray getting to the rim

[turin]

Bucks don't miss mid-range runners. SMH

[Kante]

Bayless got hot in the first half and is now a problem.

[turin]

Mayo hasn't been too shabby either

[ActionJackson]

Pretty bad free-throw shooting.

And rebounding.

[turin]

Attaboy Matthews!

[turin]

Felton is the maestro tonight.

[Melonhead]

dirk 3-14 tonight; one was a made layup. Lot of wide open shots :/

EDIT: 3-15