Can Cooper Flagg conjure a win? Dallas chases a 13-game skid breaker against Orlando's road prowess and stark shooting contrasts.
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks are looking to break their nasty losing streak on Friday by winning at home at the AAC against the Orlando Magic.
Will the Mavericks - losers of 13 straight at home - perform a magic trick here?
The Dallas Mavericks have only won 14 of their last 38 home games. The Magic have only won 16 out of their 36 road games. So any Mavericks hope for a win isn't too unrealistic given the those stats.
But there are also game odds and injuries (and Organic Tanking) to help weigh any thoughts on the outcome.
Oh, and there are the overall records.
It's the wobbly 24-52 Mavericks (awful despite the work of Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg, who has put up 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game) against a physical Orlando squad with a 40-36 record.
INJURIES: Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and Naji Marshall have all been cleared for Friday’s matchup. But P.J. Washington, Marvin Bagley III, and Caleb Martin are all listed as doubtful.
Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II remain out for the year.
For the Magic: Anthony Black (abdomen) and Jonathan Isaac: out (knee) are out.
ODDS: The Magic is favored by 7. The over/under is 234.5.
TRENDS: Over the last 10 games, the Mavericks are 2-8, averaging 115.6 points per game. Their opponents have averaged 127.9 points per game.
CLOSING THOUGHTS: As the two teams get ready face each other for the second time this season (the Magic winning the last matchup 115-114 on March 6) Orlando should not need any Magic tricks to pull another win out from up their sleeves.