Home/NBA

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Dallas Mavericks are ready to play their final group stage game of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Luka Doncic and Co. will take on the young Houston Rockets squad in hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages. While every other team in the league plays the tournament’s group stage games on specially designed courts, the Mavs’ games are being held on their city edition courts.

Let’s find out why the Dallas Mavericks are not playing against the Rockets on their in-season tournament court.

Dallas Mavericks have not fixed the problem

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

During their last in-season tournament game at home, the Mavericks hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on their old court instead of the newly designed courts. The reason behind that was a manufacturing defect on the new courts that could also cause concerns for player safety. As it turns out, the Mavs are yet to fix that issue from the last game. Dallas’ in-season tournament court will not be making an appearance tonight against the Rockets as it is still defective. Luka Doncic and Co. will play on Dallas’ city edition courts instead.

 

The manufacturing defect on the court might not bother Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, too much. He clearly stated in an interview that he was not a fan of the in-season tournament courts despite it being a great marketing idea. The flashy courts instantly let the fans know what they are getting into, and it sets a different vibe altogether. Maybe, playing on their city edition courts will also bring some luck to Luka Doncic and co., as they dominated the Clippers during their last in-season tournament home game on the same court.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been incredible together

Dallas has won only one out of their three in-season tournament games so far. But apart from their in-season tournament performance, the duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving has been great for the Mavs. Contrary to what most analysts predicted, the two superstars have built great chemistry and led the Mavs to a 10-6 record. They are currently 5th in the Western Conference standings. Luka is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 30.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.

Read More: Steve Kerr Reveals Glee About Chris Paul’s Major Embarrassment From Luka Doncic During Suns Days

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Luka’s co-star, Kyrie Irving, has also returned to his peak form and is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Uncle Drew is averaging 24.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Despite being two ball-dominant guards, Luka and Kyrie have found a way to play alongside each other and translate that into wins. They just need to maintain their incredible form in tonight’s in-season tournament game against the Rockets to increase their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Watch This Story: With Luka Doncic and Wife Jessica Olsson in Stands, Dirk Nowitzki Takes on ex-Teammate in an Entirely Different Set-up