2 ideas to ponder as the Dallas Mavericks head to Sacramento to face the Kings

Directly following a beat down at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers, the Dallas Mavericks head to Sacramento to face off against the tortured Kings.

Sacramento is effectively out of the playoffs, currently a full six games back from the eight seed yet continue to push for a miracle. The Mavericks, on the other hand, just need to make it through the rest of the season.

With 11 games left in the season for Dallas, there’s not much left to write about or consider before the off season. And yet here we are. I’ll do my best.

Is the Harrison Barnes revenge game coming?

Since his trade to Sacramento in early February, Barnes’s play strongly resembles that of his time in Dallas. His minutes are up, his two point percentage is way up, his rebounding is a little better, and just like the Mavericks, the Kings aren’t winning with him.

Now, that’s hardly Barnes fault since circumstances have simply turned against Sacramento, but it’s worth wondering whether the Black Falcon will turn his gazes towards the basket and pour his frustration with his exit into the hoop to the tune of 20+ points. Dallas has only Dorian Finney-Smith to bother him. A strong HB game seems a likely scenario.

Will the Mavericks be competitive?

A single win in March isn’t much to keep the competitive juices flowing. The Maverick players know that winning isn’t in the best interest of the team’s lottery chances yet most of those players also may not be with the team next season.

The Kings, on the other hand, still want to keep that playoff door cracked just so. A win accomplishes that. Hopefully, Luka Doncic and De’Aaron Fox come ready to put on a show for the fans.

How to watch

The game tips off at 9:00 CT and can be watched on Fox Sports Southwest or NBA League Pass. Blasted late games.