Both the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks have their sights set on the postseason when the regular season wraps up in mid-April. However, sitting in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference leaves both teams risking unfavorable matchups in the first round. Thanks to inconsistent runs recently, Dallas and Golden State need a win to give them some momentum in the final stretch.
Golden State is banged up with injuries right now. David Lee, Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala are all out after suffering various injuries, putting the Warriors behind. The team ended their three-game win streak by losing the last two of three games and falling to the New York Knicks on Sunday. Stephen Curry put up 32 points, but it was not enough to overcome the 35.4 percent shooting the remainder of the team put up.
Each win is important for Dallas and Golden State at this point in the season. Both teams are battling with Phoenix for the last three playoff spots in the Western Conference. The injuries are not helping the Warriors as the Mavericks are healthy and on a solid streak during their eight-game home stand.
The Mavericks are 4-3 during this recent streak, recently getting a win over the Sacramento Kings in which they blew a 17-point lead. This is a habit for Dallas who has dropped six games after being up by at least 16 points. The defense struggled as the Kings shot 51.9 percent, while Dirk Nowitzki put up 19 points and seven assists.
Dallas has not been good against Golden State. The team has lost back-to-back games against their Western Conference rivals. Overall though, Dallas has taken 10 of 12 from the team. The Mavericks are catching the Warriors in a tough stretch which could work in their favor. Golden State has faced four playoff bound teams in their last five games. They face the San Antonio Spurs next.
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