The Dallas Mavericks are on a roll, man! They just blew out the Brooklyn Nets 130-93 on Sunday, pushing their record to 6-4, and now they get a shot at a third straight win at home against the Indiana Pacers (3-7) on Monday. The best part? Indiana is still without Tyrese Haliburton due to a left hamstring injury, and Dallas absolutely needs to capitalize on this chance to finish their homestand strong.
Kyrie’s Got the Touch Back
Kyrie Irving is looking like himself again, and it’s awesome to watch. He dropped 21 points against Brooklyn, but it wasn’t just the points, it was *how* he got them. He looked comfortable getting to his spots without needing to completely dominate the ball, and that balance is critical for this Mavs team. We all know Dallas is at its peak when Cooper Flagg is running the show as a playmaker and Kyrie is picking his spots, attacking mismatches, and being that reliable scorer when the offense hits a wall. The Pacers have some decent perimeter defenders, but with Haliburton out, it opens things up even more for Kyrie to attack. Dallas doesn’t need him to take 25 shots every night, they need this version of Kyrie: efficient, aggressive, and ready to completely change a game when a bucket is needed.
Deja Vu All Over Again?
Here’s the thing: the Mavericks already know they can beat this Pacers squad. The last time these two teams met, Dallas went off, dropping 44 points in the first quarter and taking a ridiculous 77-43 lead into halftime before cruising to a 121-105 win. Cooper Flagg even left that game after just 17 minutes with a shoulder injury, and Dallas still had complete control. Yeah, Indiana should be better prepared this time, but the key advantages for Dallas are still there. Without Haliburton, the Pacers are missing the guy who runs their entire offense and sets their pace. Pascal Siakam is still a massive threat, and Ivica Zubac gives them size inside, but Dallas should feel really good about its ability to create better shots against them. The Mavs can’t just assume the first win means Monday is a guaranteed W, but if they move the ball and defend with that same intensity, this should be another favorable matchup for them.
Smash Mouth Hoops
One of the best parts about that huge win against Brooklyn? How easily Dallas was generating offense right around the rim. They were attacking the paint, getting easy looks, and making life tough for the Nets defense. That’s a blueprint for success, and it’s something they absolutely need to keep doing against Indiana. Keep driving, keep creating those opportunities in close, and make the Pacers’ bigs work.
This Monday night game is more than just another W; it’s about cementing that recent momentum and finishing the homestand with a statement. Can the Mavs keep rolling and make it three straight? You bet they can if they play smart.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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