The Dallas Mavericks return home to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 2. Here is a look at everything fans need to know to enjoy that contest.
The Dallas Mavericks return home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. Dallas has lost two straight and are looking to bounce back against one of the projected playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets have lost three straight and four of the last five. They are in a slump as they continue to play without Kyrie Irving. The Nets are struggling on offense but will be primed up to face the Mavs to kick off their 2020 schedule.
Here is a look at everything supporters need to know before watching the Jan. 2 game.
Start Time
The first contest of 2020 begins at 8:30 p.m. ET or 7:30 p.m. local time in Dallas.
How to watch
Mavericks fans can watch the game on Fox Sports Southwest-Dallas. The Nets broadcast is on the YES Network for those in the New York market.
Watch online
FuboTV is the option for streaming Thursday’s game. They have local and out of market NBA action all season.
Fox Sports Go has the stream for local Dallas fans and others can catch it on NBA League Pass.
Odds
Injury update
NBA’s official injury report features a plethora of Dallas Mavericks ahead of Thursday’s game. Tim Hardaway Jr. (hamstring), Ryan Broekhoff (leg), and Isaiah Roby (foot) are all listed as out. Kristaps Porzingis remains questionable with right knee soreness.
The Nets are listing Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Caris LeVert, Nicolas Claxton, and David Nwaba as out against the Mavs.
Fans should check the news just before tipoff to get all the late-breaking info.
Storyline to follow: Helping Luka
Luka Doncic dropped 35 points against the Thunder, but it was not enough to secure the road win. Only two other Mavericks finished in double-figures on Tuesday. Doncic needs more support to grab the team’s first victory of 2020.
A lot will depend on the status of Kristaps Porzingis. Hardaway Jr. is their third-leading scorer. Being without numbers two and three makes life difficult on the Mavs. They need Seth Curry, Dwight Powell, and Maxi Kleber to step up and take on a larger scoring load if both players are out against the Nets.
The Smoking Cuban will be back with news, opinions, and analysis after the game, so supporters should return often to catch all the latest.