DALLAS, TX – The fourth seed Dallas Mavericks are looking to turn things around after losing game one of the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday night to the Utah Jazz 99-93. The second game will be at American Airlines Center on Monday night at 8:30 PM.
The topic that is on everyone’s mind right now is the updated status on Luka’s Calf sprain and if he will return for tomorrow night’s game. At practice today, on Easter Sunday, he did a very light workout that included shooting (without jumping) and some ball movement but no running was involved. He didn’t do any sharp or quick movements, it looked like he was just trying to put some shots up.
According to Jason Kidd it will be a game time decision whether Luka feels healthy enough to play tomorrow night or not. He told the media at the practice that that decision will be made between Luka and the medical staff.
“He feels good, we will see how he feels after today, after practice and tomorrow as well.” Kidd told the media.
Kidd told us that they are preparing for both options. If Doncic plays it would be great but according to Kidd it still doesn’t mean that Dallas will still pull out a win. If he doesn’t play the Mavs are prepared to play without him as well.
There were two things that they really need to work on for tomorrow’s matchup. Dallas only lost by six points so if they tweak a few things they can take game two. Rebounding was probably the biggest thing that everyone noticed in Saturday night’s matchup. The Jazz outrebounded Dallas 53-34 and had 20 second chance opportunity points because of it.
“They are overly tall humans so you know just trying to keep them out of the paint to get those loose balls.” Reggie Bullock commented on how the Mavs can do a better job at rebounding in tomorrow night’s matchup.
At the practice today they watched film and they went over the rebounding problems and the open looks that they had on Saturday and how many they missed. The second big issue was offense and their ability to convert on the open opportunities. Dallas shot 38 percent from the floor and 28 percent from three. With Luka possibly out for game two someone is going to have to step up in place for Luka and get it done.
Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie combined for 46 points to the Mavs 93, but when you give up 53 rebounds that just won’t cut it.
Bullock told us today in practice that they went over film and they all had some open looks that they are mad at themselves for not making but he said they feel better about their shooting and they are feeling good for tomorrow’s game.
“We are in a great mood. Our mindset is on game two to be able to pull out a W.” Reggie Bullock says everyone is in a great mood today here on Easter Sunday.
We will have more information tomorrow on if Luka will touch the floor. As of now his status for tomorrow’s game is still up in the air.
