Dallas Mavericks: What to watch for in game nine vs. Magic

Dallas Mavericks: What to watch for in game nine vs. Magic

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is catching fire. He had 38 points and fell one rebound shy of his second straight triple-double in their overtime win against the Nuggets. Expect another massive night from Luka on Jan. 9.

The Mavs return home to face the Orlando Magic. The Magic lost starting point guard Markelle Fultz to a torn ACL on Wednesday. They are also on the second night of a back-to-back in Dallas. Orlando faces the Rockets in Houston on Friday evening.

Mavs fans will not want to miss Saturday’s game. Here is how and what to watch for as Dallas goes for their third consecutive victory.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic: How to watch

Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT or 8:30 p.m. ET

How to watch: Fox Sports Southwest (Dallas Market), Fox Sports Florida (Orlando market)

Watch online: Fox Sports Go (Both local markets), NBA League Pass

Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic injury updates

The Mavericks ruled out Kristaps Porzingis for Saturday’s game in their media notes, according to Brad Townsend. They have also listed Trey Burke as questionable with an illness. The point guard missed the team’s last game in Denver.

The Mavs will also be without Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jalen Brunson as all three players stayed in Denver as part of the league’s health and safety protocols. Dallas will have to guys step up on Saturday evening.

Orlando will not release an injury report for the Mavericks game until Saturday because they play on Friday night. They have Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Michael Carter-Williams, and Chuma Okeke all listed as out against the Rockets on the NBA’s official injury report. Evan Fournier is questionable with a back injury.

Fans will want to check Twitter just before tipoff for all the latest on the injury front.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic storyline to follow: Luka’s hot streak

Doncic started the season slowly. He admittedly was not in the best shape, but the 21-year-old is quickly turning it on. Over the last two games, Luka is averaging 35.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 12.0 assists on 53.2 percent shooting from the field. He has been unstoppable against two playoff teams from last year.

Through eight games, the Magic rank third in defensive and seventh in net rating. Will their strong defense be able to stop Doncic? Do not count on it. The Mavericks superstar is red hot. Expect him to have another monster performance on Jan. 9.

Fans will not want to miss Saturday’s game. Be sure to tune in and enjoy the show.