The Dallas Mavericks (43-31) conclude the 2019-20 regular season by taking on the red-hot Phoenix Suns (33-39) for the second time within the NBA Bubble in Orlando. Their previous matchup in the eight-game round saw the Suns blast doors from the crowd-free arena in the third quarter, beating the Mavericks 117-115. The Suns are the only undefeated team within the bubble.
There are few consequential bets for the Mavericks in this game, having already locked a seat in the playoffs and settled in seventh position in the Western Conference. But the season hangs in the balance for Devin Booker’s team, who find themselves locked in a battle – along with the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs – over the possibility of a play-in for the eighth seed.
All eyes will be on those four teams, who all play in Thursday’s matches.
Healthy and happy
While the thrill of a regular season final game to be won (or the chance to walk away from a match with the Los Angeles Clippers) might be, it’s okay to have good feelings for a relaxed final game for the Mavericks. After a relatively dramatic sequence of seven games inside the bubble, the Mavericks can use this final game however they want.
At the time of writing it is unclear who will play for the Mavericks. Wouldn’t it be surprising to see head coach Rick Carlisle choose not to play key players like Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, or maybe even guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith; players who have all accumulated many minutes in the bubble.
If they show up, maybe it’s used to keep up the pace and chemistry. The Mavericks will no doubt have hard work on their hands in the playoffs, and as there are days off between this match and the first round, the coaching staff and players have some leeway.
It is also important to monitor the health of starting guard Seth Curry, who has been in and out of training recently with vague and mysterious leg problems. Given that this has impacted him in the long run in the past, it’s worrying to see him popping up here after so long.
Let yourself run
It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Mavericks hide some pattern, or change rotations as they head into the playoffs, if only for the novelty of giving their future opponent less tape on them. What this ultimately means is seeing some less used players get more racing. Who might be interesting to watch?
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – There’s been a lot of talk about #MFFLTwitter lately, infrequently used MKG has made a couple of key appearances in Mavericks games. In a last ditch effort to disrupt the Trail Blazers’ attack (and indeed to slow Damian Lillard as a team effort) Rick Carlisle pitched the 26-year-old, defensive-minded striker. And it flashed in a few moments.
Despite all the uncertainty his offensive play brings, he still exhibits prowess with active hands and physical prowess. And above all, it seems to understand its role. Perhaps Kidd-Gilchrist can see extra minutes and work his way into a partial post-season pivot point.
Josh Reaves – the ratio of actual minutes played to minutes fans spend discussing rookie Josh Reaves’ potential could be 1:80. Having appeared in just three games and playing 15 minutes, Reaves fulfills MFFL’s long tradition of young project sails that everyone wants so much to solve.
Just like MKG, Reaves is a disruptor. It uses its long arms and hustle and bustle to create chaos around the opponent’s perimeter. It’s raw, sure. But he may be the only guard the Mavericks have who interprets his style. Rick Carlisle needs a jolt of energy for defense, and it’s possible Reaves can provide it (although he won’t see minutes in the first round of action). Why not throw it out there and see if it can bother Devin Booker?
Trey Burke – even though this is only his eighth game as the Dallas Maverick, Burke was a much needed and much used weapon in the Maverick offense. He entered the scene on his debut against the Houston Rockets.
While that first match showed all the shooting potential Burke can muster (31 points, 8 out of 10 out of three), it was his performance against the Trail Blazers that looked the most promising. Scoring 12 points, adding nine assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block, Burke solidified his role during his second stint with the Mavs.
Carlisle could be in a tough spot if Curry is absent for the postseason. Trey Burke’s real role has to be sixth man for the Mavericks, creating all the offense for the second unit. This final match of the regular season could be a great opportunity to allow Burke to really stretch his legs as a creator and gain some momentum for the playoffs.
How to watch
Tip off is set for 3 CT and can be watched on TNT and FSSW.
