GDT: Mavs vs 76ers 02/21/16 6:00pm CT

[Underdog]

The Dallas Mavericks let another game get away, and their grasp on a playoff spot is slipping as well.

A tough recent stretch has increased the urgency of a season-high six-game homestand the struggling Mavericks begin Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Though still in position to reach the postseason, Dallas (29-27) has had its margin for error greatly reduced by losing five of six. The Mavericks own just a one-game edge on two teams tied for eighth in the Western Conference, Houston and charging Utah.

The Mavericks weren't playing especially well entering the All-Star break and were sluggish coming out of it, falling behind by 21 points late in the first quarter Friday in Orlando. They then tired late in losing 110-104 in their third straight overtime game and league-high ninth this season.

Dallas overcame its early deficit behind a franchise-record 19 3-pointers but couldn't hit shots down the stretch, going 7 of 24 in the fourth quarter and overtime while being outscored 31-17 over the final 14 minutes of regulation.

"It's a long game and you've got outlast a team like this and we were unable to do it," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. "Frankly the group we have is not doing a good job finishing games."

Playing nine of their next 10 at American Airlines Center could help the Mavericks get back on track, though they've lost their last three there. Dallas hasn't dropped four straight at home since Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014.

The Mavericks don't seem to be in much danger of matching that skid considering Philadelphia (8-46) is a league-worst 3-25 on the road and has lost seven of eight overall. The 76ers did play Dallas tough Nov. 16, however, leading by one with four minutes left before the Mavericks rallied for a 92-86 win.

Philadelphia outscored the Mavericks 48-24 in the paint and appears to have an advantage there with youngsters Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, coming off a season-high 24 points in Friday's 121-114 loss at New Orleans. The Sixers' 45.1 points per game in the lane ranks fourth in the NBA.

Dallas has allowed opponents to convert 60.1 percent of their attempts at the rim, among the NBA's worst marks, and has been outscored 196-110 in the paint over its last four.

While the Mavericks have struggled to defend inside, they've been on target from the outside. They're 45 of 108 on 3-pointers over their last three games and shot 46.3 percent (19 of 41) against the Magic.

Chandler Parsons is 14 of 23 over that stretch and went 6 of 7 in a 24-point effort against Orlando. Deron Williams finished 5 of 9 while scoring 25 and is averaging 23.3 points over his last three.

The 76ers also have done well from the perimeter of late, making 27 of 62 attempts (43.5 percent) over their last two games. Robert Covington was 7 of 11 in recording a career-high 29 points in a 114-110 loss to Sacramento prior to the break and Nik Stauskas has hit 7 of his last 11 tries.

Philadelphia, last in the league in scoring (95.5 ppg), shot 52.6 percent overall against New Orleans but couldn't overcome a slow start of its own, with the Pelicans building a 69-47 lead late in the first half.

"They jumped us," coach Brett Brown said. "We haven't played in nine days. It felt like it, and looked like it."

The 76ers have lost six straight to the Mavericks and nine in a row in Dallas since a 93-89 win Jan. 29, 2005.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400828717

[Underdog]

@espn_macmahon: Mavs point guard Deron Williams is questionable for tonight's game against the 76ers due to a right calf strain. Devin Harris is probable after missing the previous 10 games due to a left great toe sprain.

[Underdog]

‏@coopmavs: Likely milestone night for @swish41 as he needs just 10 pts for 29K in career. Mavs need to get him on track. Since Jan 1 just 40.2% FG.

[EricaLubarsky]

Worst records for February:

Phoenix 0-6
New York 1-6
Mavs 1-5
Philly 1-5

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Worst records for February:

Phoenix 0-6
New York 1-6
Mavs 1-5
Philly 1-5

Stoppable Force vs. Moveable Object.

[CGM]

Feel good (again) game at home tonight against the lowly Philly Fish... in short, the Mavs' lead will be so humongous that:

1. Matthews will shoot so freely that he will get his groove back.
2. Parsons and Zaza will master the p-n-r so easily that they will be BFFs again.
3. The bench will score more than 50 points so they will finally gel.
4. Dirk will be able to rest most of the game and thus regain his hope on his Mavs' team.

Mavs - 112
Philly Fish - 92

[Underdog]

Eat. The. Weak.

[Bryan_Wilson]

I'm happy Harris is back because he's been much better shooting since that poor start and his defense is always nice in comparison to the other small guards. Wonder how many games we will see both Harris and Dwill healthy, seems one or the other is always out. Just hope that when all are healthy it doesn't put Simba back in the DNP category.

[yahyes]

Stop screwing around, Mavs. It's time to get urgent.

[BPo001]

Whats the over/under for points by Okafor? He's off to a quick start.

[EricaLubarsky]

Are we tanking or are we really this bad?

[BPo001]

Dirk 4 points away from 29,000!

[BPo001]

Parsons shot looks flat.

[BPo001]

We might be the only team in history of the NBA who subs in a PG for our starting PF.

[BPo001]

Okafor is doing work early.

[EricaLubarsky]

Starting to think that we really are a .200 team

[EricaLubarsky]

This team just cannot play well as a team on offense but Williams has some slick Iso moves

[BPo001]

Devin Harris sighting!

[BPo001]

JJ, Felton, Dirk, and Zaza all on the floor at the same time. Could we have a worse lineup on the floor defensively?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

That was all ball by Harris, and the mavs can't grab an offensive rebound if it hit them in the face.

[EricaLubarsky]

We just lost the first quarter to the worst team in the league

[Bryan_Wilson]

Did I say I was mostly worried about our offense? I meant to say I'm worried about everything.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I know the clock was down, but that was a horrid shot by Barea. I just don't think players are taking this season seriously anymore, and I guess we shouldn't either. A loss tonight shouldn't surprise anyone.

I want to be optimistic, but is there much to be optimistic about? Winning this game by 2-4 points or winning it in overtime wouldn't change that.

[EricaLubarsky]

Okafor averaging 17ppg

18 in the first 12 min

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Did I say I was mostly worried about our offense? I meant to say I'm worried about everything.

Which was exactly my point with people complaining about Lee. The team could use just about any kind of help it can get from anyone who can play.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Did I say I was mostly worried about our offense? I meant to say I'm worried about everything.

We all knew the defense and rebounding would be awful. Just look at the roster.

What I don't get is Rick always gets honored as a great offensive coach, but we can't run a single effective play on offense.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Which was exactly my point with people complaining about Lee. The team could use just about any kind of help it can get from anyone who can play.

Getting a mediocre rebounder who got DNPs because his defense was so awful ain't going to help defense or rebounding and I really wonder if his offense will make an impact

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Hilarious that the guy just coming back from injury is the only one who looks like he gives a shit.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Getting a mediocre rebounder who got DNPs because his defense was so awful ain't going to help defense or rebounding and I really wonder if his offense will make an impact

And yet the FO was quick to spend the room MLE on him. So either he'll just add to the sinking ship, or he'll surprise and be better than any of the other backup bigs. Clearly the team is crappy enough to warrant such a signing.

[BPo001]

LOL. Felton just passed it to the Phi player. Tried to make up for it on the other end and throws up some garbage. Airball.

[yahyes]

It seems like if we're trying to figure out how to work Dirk in offensively. Confusion on setting plays.

[ActionJackson]

76ers shooting over 65%.

Should have traded one of the guards. I have a bad feeling that Felton will be quite useless. Hope I'm dead wrong.

Getting dominated by TJ McConnell and Richaun Holmes.

[yahyes]

I wouldn't mind if Carlisle limits Dirk's minutes a bit this game. I mean it's against philly. They're playing too much where I think Carlisle counters by using some bench guys we have more. Put in some Anderson.

[BPo001]

Parsons needs to take over on offense.

[yahyes]

See I think Dirk has a too much of a rough match up he doesn't really need tonight. Primarily because it's against a east lottery team. Our bench can win this.

[yahyes]

Interesting lineup. When putting Dirk at center here.

[Underdog]

Dirk 1 point away from 29k.

[BPo001]

Mavs not settling tonight. Attacking the rim and being rewarded with FT's.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Mavs have their highest-scoring half of the season, with 66. Prev. high was 65 (thrice in November).

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@bobbykaralla: Mavs have their highest-scoring half of the season, with 66. Prev. high was 65 (thrice in November).

@Devinharriswillstart: Wes Matthews has decided to make shots.