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WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
WHAT: Win the game and thus the Southwest division
WHERE: American Airline Center, Dallas, TX
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CST.
HOW: BallySports
THE STORY: Dallas is on a tear to end the season. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games and beginning to put some space between themselves and the riff raff, aka, the Lakers and Trailblazers.
With a win against a beleaguered Cavs team, Dallas has a chance to crown themselves champions of the Southwest division — a feat they’ve managed only twice before, and not since the 09-10 season. Bonus fact: in the last 10 years, no SW Division winner has ever lost in the first round. Something to think about.
Dallas is on the second night of a back to back and still without Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber, but the Cavs don’t have it much better, as Kevin Love is out for the game, joining Larry Nance Jr. No rest for the weary as Luka and Co aim to put in the work now and hopefully avoid the play-in so they can catch their breath before the postseason.