But back to this game. It’s a big one, because the Kings and Mavericks are jostling for playoff position in the same neighborhood. When things are this tight in the standings, head-to-head records matter. A win is huge for that reason, but also because the Mavericks have been bad against teams with a record better than .500 season. On the eve of the postseason, they need to show they can hang with the best of the West.
Here are
The Kings will be rested this time around
In the first matchup on Tuesday, both teams were on the second night of a back-to-back. But the Kings were especially weary, having played five games in seven nights. This game, they’ll be on two days rest and at home for the second game in a row. The Mavericks, meanwhile played only three games in that same stretch. This time both teams’ energy will be around the same level. Dallas can’t come out sluggish, because it might let Sacramento build a big lead early.
Will the Mavericks’ hot shooting continue?
The Mavericks shot an incredible 56 percent from behind the arc on Tuesday. That’s likely not going to happen again, but will they hit above 40 percent of their three’s? They’ve been cold from deep for a few weeks lately, yet it hasn’t stopped them from winning. If they add accurate 3-point shooting to the tough defense and consistent attacks at the rim to their formula, they’ll be a tough out for any team.
Is Tim Hardaway Jr. breaking out of his slump?
Hardaway has been mired in a months long shooting slump. He’s shooting 36 percent on three’s this year, which is literally his career average. With the Mavericks, though, he’s typically shot around 38-39 percent, except one down year in 2021-22 where he shot 33 percent. But this February he only shot 34 percent from deep, and March hasn’t been much better—just 35 percent. But on Tuesday, Hardaway went 4-of-6 from behind the arc, scoring 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Hopefully it’s the start of a hot streak for Hardaway, timed just perfectly for the playoffs.
How to watch
The game tips off at 9:00 p.m. CDT on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.