Hi Mavs fans, welcome to my weekly update for the 2017 Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks started off slow this season, going 11-26 in their first 37 games of the season, but they won six of their last nine games to improve to 16-30 on the season. They are ranked 13th in the Western Conference, and only five and a half games out of a playoff spot. While some fans believe that the Mavs should start the tanking process and receive a top draft pick, I believe that they should continue to fight for a playoff spot.

The Mavs started their week on the road, going up against their in-state state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, who are 36-11 on the season and second place in the Western Conference. The Mavericks started of slow in the first half and were down 59 to 49 at the half. The Mavs came out strong in the third quarter and took a 73-72 lead eight minutes into the 2nd half. The game stayed close the rest of the way until the Mavericks were able to run away with the game in the final seconds. Seth Curry was able to hit a clutch layup in crunchtime, and Yogi Ferrell, who recently signed a 10-day contract with the team was able to hit 2 big free throws. Seth Curry led the team in scoring with 24 points along with 10 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 24 points as well. Final Score: 105-101, Mavericks.  

The Mavs faced another tough opponent on Monday night, as the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers rolled into town as the Number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Mavs started out hot, taking an early 14-5 lead over the Cavs. The lead did not last long as the Cavs stormed back to take a 29-26 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The Mavs were able to battle back in the second quarter and take a 55-50 lead into the half. The third quarter was a back and forth battle between the four time MVP Lebron James and the Mavs’ leading scorer Harrison Barnes, but with help from Wesley Matthews and Seth Curry the Mavs were able to pull away in the third quarter and take a 81-70 lead. Despite back to back threes by Cavs’ big man Channing Frye, the Mavs were able to keep their lead with a clutch three pointer by the long time Maverick Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs now have won two games in a row against two of the top four teams in the NBA. Final Score: 104-97, Mavericks.

After two tough games, the Mavs hosted the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. The Sixers are 18-30 and in third to last place in the Eastern Conference. The Mavs started off slow in the first quarter, giving up 23 points and only scoring 20. Mavs big man Salah Mejri started off hot with six early points while the Sixers’ starting Power Forward Ersan Illyasova had 7 first quarter points. The Mavs were able to heat up in the second quarter and took a 50-47 lead into the half. The Mavs kept it going in the second half, scoring 31 points in the third quarter by moving the ball well and shooting a high percentage from the field. The fourth quarter had the Mavericks’ name written all over it. Big man Salah Mejri was able to stay hot as he finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds carrying the Mavs to the win. Other standout performers were sharpshooter Seth Curry, who had 22 points, and the Mavs’ sixth man Devin Harris, who finished with 14 points. Final Score: 113-95, Mavs.

If the Mavs want to keep this winning streak alive, they will have to battle through next week as they have four challenging games. First they will travel to Portland on Friday night to face Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers. Next the team will travel to Denver on Monday to play the Nuggets who have been lifted by their second year big man Nikola Jokic. Thirdly, the Mavs will welcome the Trailblazers back home in Dallas on Tuesday night. Finally they will host the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, who have been playing excellent basketball this season which has propelled them to the five seed in the Western Conference.