GDT: Mavs @ Nets 12/23/15 (6:30pm CT)

[Underdog]

Wednesday night's matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets should've been Deron Williams' first game against his former team.

A hamstring injury took care of that.

The Mavericks will likely be without their starting point guard as try to avoid a fifth loss in seven games.

Williams spent four seasons with the Nets before the team bought him out of his contract last summer after a very disappointing 2014-15. The Mavericks quickly signed the three-time All-Star to a two-year, $11 million contract, and the move has turned out be a good one with Williams playing well and helping Dallas exceed expectations thus far.

The Mavericks, though, don't figure to have their second-leading scorer available after Williams strained his left hamstring in Tuesday's 103-99 loss at Toronto. He scored a season-low seven points on 2-of-7 shooting before departing in the third quarter.

"My hamstrings have been a little tight the last couple of games, and then I came to the bench and told (head athletic trainer Casey Smith) they were a little tighter than normal," Williams told the team's official website. "As soon as I went back out there, I went to plant and push off, and I just felt a little pop."

Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Wesley Matthews had 15 for the Mavericks (15-13), who made a late charge behind their reserves to erase almost all of an 18-point deficit before losing for the fourth time in six games.

"The guys in the last six minutes were unbelievably scrappy," coach Rick Carlisle said. "They played unconditionally hard, they played unselfishly, and they gave us a chance. You know, I'm proud of the way those guys played, and I hope everybody on our roster sees the example that they set."

Without Williams, J.J. Barea likely will make his first start of the season.

Nowitzki needs 10 points to pass Shaquille O'Neal for sixth on the all-time scoring list. He seems a good bet to reach that total since he's scored 20 in back to back games and hasn't scored fewer than 11 in 18 straight.

Brooklyn (8-20) also hasn't been very good defensively lately, allowing 100 or more points in six straight and nine of the last 10 games. The Nets did so again Monday at Chicago but did enough on the other end to snap a five-game skid with a 105-102 victory.

Brook Lopez had 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Thaddeus Young added 16 and 13 for Brooklyn, which was coming off a 100-85 home loss to Minnesota.

"We came in focused, we were energetic and our bench did a great job of coming in keeping the energy high and responding to runs," Lopez said. "We were all there for each other. We were pulling for each other."

The Nets will try to end a four-game skid at home during which opponents have averaged 103.5 points and shot 51.1 percent. That stretch comes after they won six of seven at Barclays Center and limited the opposition to 96.1 points and 42.8 from the field.

Brooklyn clearly needs more from Joe Johnson, whose 10.8 scoring average is his lowest since 2002-03 with Phoenix. He's averaged 8.0 points on 28.3 percent (15 for 53) shooting the last five games.

"He's just not finishing some of the shots he normally finishes," coach Lionel Hollins said. "That happens."

The Nets have won four of five against the Mavericks with the loss coming Jan. 5 in the most recent meeting in Brooklyn.

[Underdog]

10 to go...

[CGM]

...the mere presence of Deron's past, present, and future in the bench will make the Nests' players shake and tremble like twigs of a dry Christmas tree during a snowstorm... the Mavs' bench players will carry on the momentum they gained yesternight against the Rip-Torns; thus, the Mavs' starters will receive their pre-Christmas gifts consisting of resting a lot and watching a Dallas' win....

Mavs - 105
Nests - 97

[rimrocker]

Dirk should easily pass Shaq tonight. Without DWill he will get a lot of looks. Its not like he'll have a ton of resistance either.
My guess he'll easily have it early in the 2nd quarter.

In fact I'll predict he'll get it close to the 4:37 mark of the 2nd quarter

[Thebo]

Will be interesting to see how well Mavs can do without DWill.

[Bryan_Wilson]

I hope some of those end of the bench guys earned some spot minutes to see if they can bring something again tonight without it being a white flag moment.

[yahyes]

If we start a half like we did last night. Carlisle might as well roll with that lineup last minutes of the game. The team can't coast through many games.

[Underdog]

Dirk got his, now let's get the win.

[Underdog]

Barea is playing a perfect game so far...

[jay3189]

Mavs are having probably their best offensive game so far for the season. They are shooting over 70% in both the 1st and 2nd quarter. That being said, the Nets are getting layups. Dallas defense has been bad. Especially in the 2nd quarter. But the Mavs 3's have been near perfect.

[mavErika]

Originally Posted by jay3189

Mavs are having probably their best offensive game so far for the season. They are shooting over 70% in both the 1st and 2nd quarter. That being said, the Nets are getting layups. Dallas defense has been bad, especially in the 2nd quarter. But the Mavs 3's have been near perfect.

Unfortunately the Nets have been perfect from three so far (just 3/3, though. We're 10/13).

[Underdog]

And just like that, the lead has slipped away...

[GermanStandard]

Originally Posted by jay3189

Mavs are having probably their best offensive game so far for the season. They are shooting over 70% in both the 1st and 2nd quarter. That being said, the Nets are getting layups. Dallas defense has been bad, especially in the 2nd quarter. But the Mavs 3's have been near perfect.

And they are probably losing that game isnt that great

[Bryan_Wilson]

Can we maybe... put Anderson or Evans in to stop this iso joe post up? I mean it's a smaller guy on him over and over and over.

[Melonhead]

This team is so hard to watch. I just feel bad for dirk now.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

This team is so hard to watch. I just feel bad for dirk now.

Your sad sport attitude on threads is hard to read. At least get upset the team isn't winning.

[Melonhead]

I haven't watched every quarter of every game but this looks like the worst I've seen all year. Not just the shitty defense/offense but the body language. This team looks defeated.

[Underdog]

WTF is happening right now?

[ActionJackson]

Oh dear lord. Once again, how is this even possible? Was the whole team taking a nap during the half time?

[GermanStandard]

Such an average Team to watch this year.

Parsons and Matthews are complete crap given their contracts.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by yahyes

You're sad sport attitude on threads is hard to read.

Here ill pump sunshine. This team has a lot of time left to come back.

[yahyes]

It's all about if the team connecting. They have the talent.

[yahyes]

Brooklyn playing likes it's last game of the season!

[ActionJackson]

I bet Larkin and Ellington start draining threes in no time.

[jay3189]

This is the first game for the season that I'm really mad watching a Mavericks game. For some odd reason, I wasn't that mad about last night's loss. But this game is getting me frustrated. Dallas just allowed Nets to get back into this game just like that.

[yahyes]

You seriously have to start looking at Parsons now. Not saying he should score 40. But to work in the game harder. He's got the talent.

[JTmoney2424]

Originally Posted by yahyes

It's all about if the team connecting. They have the talent.

Do they? We could be overrating this team like crazy. Parsons is very overrated and worth nowhere near what his contact is for. Matthews has been garbage so far. Dirk is still solid but very old. D will is a little up there in age. I mean Dirk and Deron in their prime could be really hard to handle but this team is just very old and frankly, just isnt that good.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by jay3189

This is the first game for the season that I'm really mad watching a Mavericks game. For some odd reason, I wasn't that mad about last night's loss, but this game is getting me frustrated. Dallas just allowed Nets to get back into this game just like that.

Really... this is what happens in the NBA reg season.

[Melonhead]

But the Rockets lost to orlando. At least we can hang our hat on that

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

Do they? We could be overrating this team like crazy. Parsons is very overrated and worth nowhere near what his contact is for. Matthews has been garbage so far. Dirk is still solid but very old. D will is a little up there in age. I mean Dirk and Deron in their prime could be really hard to handle but this team is just very old and frankly, just isnt that good.

Yah, yes they do have much better talent since they won the championship. Matching up is possible if McGee can guard the paint consistently. And Parsons doing an all around great game. He's done it before. I mean, we did well last year. Especially adding a bunch of random players. Cuban wants to start thinking long term players. Hence Matthews. Who I like also for this team. Even after Dirk retires.

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

But the Rockets lost to orlando. At least we can hang our hat on that

Yeah, I hope Mavs aren't scoreboard watching at this point. That's if they want one extra home game in the playoffs. For at least the first round.

[ActionJackson]

Look at the positives.

Parsons might foul out and stop hurting the team.

We are only down 6 points. Without the first half this game would be over.

[cxb65]

Nets have 16 shots more than Mavs, and no way to win the game

We need to find someone to replace C.V., and he is not a NBA cabiler player

[yahyes]

I see some ball movement, which is what's been missing.

[Underdog]

Mavs getting back in to this thing...

[yahyes]

Charlie V trying though

[ActionJackson]

Very exciting. That's the spirit, now play some D.

[jay3189]

Barea, your the real MVP. Lol. 2 games in a row, crucial buckets by J.J.

[GermanDunk]

How is JJ ?

Merry Christmas everybody !

[Bryan_Wilson]

It just isn't a Mavs game without that bullshit 3.