Wednesday night DeAndre Jordan comes to Dallas. Tuesday night the Mavs play a winless team.
But for a mediocre squad hoping to scrape into the playoffs, is there any such thing as a “trap” game? Let’s hope not. Because these Mavs aren’t good enough to overlook any team in the NBA, including the 0-6 Pelicans that they just beat in Dallas over the weekend.
“My hope is it’s not hard to get motivated for a winless team, or any team,” said Mavs coach Rick Carlisle. “If it is, then we’re in for a long year.”
Having already faced Jordan in Game 2 of the season, the Mavs’ anxiety over facing him again should be muted. Not the fans, however, who will surely fill American Airlines Center with as much energy – and animosity – as possible for a regular-season game in November. But it’s always difficult to sweep back-to-backs in the NBA, no matter the opponent.
And with the Pelicans, who made the playoffs last year, looking for their first win, their building will just as frenzied tonight as the Mavs’ will be tomorrow night.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
