The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks Look to Start Another Win Streak

By Kohl Rast

Dec 14, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; (From left to right) Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (30) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Deron Williams (8) and guard Devin Harris (34) react on the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; (From left to right) Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (30) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Deron Williams (8) and guard Devin Harris (34) react on the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Mavericks are coming off one of the most clutch wins of the season over one of the Western Conference playoff teams, the Utah Jazz. Can they keep their success up against a struggling Orlando Magic squad?

The Dallas Mavericks are ready to make their move towards the playoffs, and it is going to have to come at the expense of the lower level teams. The Orlando Magic just happens to be one of those teams.

Dallas has won 5 of their last 7 games, defeating the Cavaliers, Spurs, 76ers, Trail Blazers, and Jazz during that stretch. The Mavs have finally gained some ground on their playoff foes and are doing it in style.

If the Mavericks get the win tonight over the Magic and the Nuggets fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas will move within a game and a half of the 8th playoff spot. The Mavs are expected to still be missing Andrew Bogut and J.J. Barea for the game tonight, but Deron Williams is listed as a game time decision (per Earl Sneed). I wouldn’t expect him to see the court tonight.

Last time the Mavs played Orlando, it did not go well. On the 2nd night of a back to back, and in the midst of an 8-game losing streak, Dallas fell to Orlando 95-87. In the game, Jonathan Gibson (in his 2nd career NBA game) scored a game high 26 points off the bench. The rest of the team had an average night.

Now with an upgrade from Gibson to Yogi Ferrell, a healthy Dirk Nowitzki, and a more proven Seth Curry, Dallas will seek out revenge in convincing fashion. Don’t expect to see the same slow, faltering Mavs from earlier this year. This team can score in bunches and can defend as well as many teams in the league.

Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry will be keys in this game. Both have seen surges in their productivity and, barring another 18-point barrage from D.J. Augustin, should be able to control the game from the start.

Next: Dallas Mavericks Mid-Season Guard Grades

The Mavericks will face off against the Orlando Magic tonight at 8:00 CT in Dallas. The Mavs are expected to stick with the same starting lineup of this streak with Yogi, Seth, Wesley Matthews, HB, and Dirk.

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