Mavericks Search for Spark as Road Woes Continue, Face Suns in Phoenix
The Dallas Mavericks are packing their bags - again. With no home game until February 26, they’re staring down the barrel of a long stretch on the road, and it’s coming at a tough time. Dallas has dropped seven straight, and while that might be music to the ears of fans eyeing lottery odds, it’s a brutal reality for a team trying to find its footing.
Next up: a visit to Phoenix to take on a Suns squad that’s quietly putting together a solid season. At 31-22, Phoenix sits seventh in the Western Conference and is coming off a competitive loss to the 76ers, where Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey combined for 62 points. Devin Booker did his part - 21 points and nine assists - but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
The Mavericks, now 19-33 and 12th in the West, are in desperate need of something to break the spiral. The question is, can they find it in the desert?
Road Woes Meet Home Fortitude
Let’s talk trends. The Suns are one of the NBA’s strongest teams at home - not just in the win column, but against the spread too.
They’ve covered in 17 of their 26 home games, good for a 65.4% clip, second-best in the league behind only the Knicks. That’s not just solid; it’s elite.
Dallas, on the other hand, has struggled mightily away from home. They’ve won just five road games all season and are sitting dead last in the league against the spread on the road, covering just 33% of the time. That’s a tough stat to swallow if you’re hoping for a turnaround tonight.
Of course, games aren’t played on spreadsheets. But when the numbers are this lopsided, they’re hard to ignore.
Cooper Flagg’s Growth Curve
If there’s a silver lining in this rough patch, it’s the development of Cooper Flagg. The rookie has been one of the few bright spots in the Mavericks’ recent losses, particularly during the back-to-back set against the Spurs.
In Thursday’s game, Flagg started off tentative, especially when driving at Victor Wembanyama - and who could blame him? But by the fourth quarter, he was a different player, pouring in 20 second-half points with impressive efficiency. That kind of mid-game growth is rare, and it’s a sign of just how quickly Flagg is learning on the fly.
Sunday’s rematch was a tougher outing all around, with the Mavericks getting outplayed from the jump. Still, Flagg continued to show flashes - the footwork, the feel, the confidence. With Phoenix not boasting the same kind of interior defense as San Antonio, this could be a game where Flagg finds more room to operate and keeps adding to his highlight reel.
Dillon Brooks: More Than Just the Heel
Dillon Brooks has worn a lot of hats in his career - agitator, defender, villain. But in Phoenix, he’s added a new one: scorer.
Brooks is averaging over 21 points per game this season, easily the best mark of his career. He’s no longer just the guy who gets under your skin - he’s the guy who can beat you on the scoreboard, too. That evolution started in Houston, where he was asked to expand his offensive game, and it’s carried over to Phoenix, where he’s become a crucial piece of the Suns’ attack.
Without Brooks’ scoring punch, this Suns team wouldn’t be where it is in the standings. He’s brought edge and energy, yes, but now he’s also bringing buckets.
Tipoff and Broadcast Info
The Mavericks and Suns will tip things off just after 8 p.m. local time from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. (Yes, that’s the real name.) You can catch the game on Mavs TV for local coverage.
For Dallas, this road trip is already testing their resilience. But with young talent like Flagg developing and a chance to snap the skid against a beatable - if dangerous - Suns team, there’s still plenty to watch for.