Last month wasn’t kind to the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas put up only six wins in 16 games in January, but the team is confident that better days are ahead as it prepares to face the host Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.
The Mavericks ended the first month of the calendar year on a sour note, falling 117-102 to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. Although Kyrie Irving poured in 28 points and P.J. Washington supplied 22 to go along with 13 rebounds, Dallas couldn’t overcome a 40-point outing from Cade Cunningham and trailed by as many as 19 in the setback.
Despite the rough month, the Mavericks will begin the February portion of their schedule above .500 for the season (26-23). They entered the weekend holding on to a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, and because of that, Irving isn’t panicking.
“You got some guys disappointed in terms of the way the season is going,” Irving said. “But all in all, I feel like we’re in a good place. We still have a winning record. We’re still putting our best foot forward in preparing for games.
“It’s no time to look the other way and scream for help. What we have in this locker room is who’s going to figure it out. And hopefully in the next few weeks, we get some guys healthy and guys’ roles are a little more cemented and we can have some consistency in our lineups.”
Cleveland has had nothing to worry about lately, responding to a three-game skid with three straight wins. The Cavaliers most recently beat the Atlanta Hawks 137-115 on Thursday night, getting 26 points from Darius Garland and 24 from Donovan Mitchell in the victory.
“I think it’s the feedback I get the most from other coaches, which is cool,” Atkinson said of Cleveland’s ability to find the open man. “Your colleagues said, âMan, you guys moved the ball, wow. You share it. You’re so connected.’
“You got to have the willingness to do it, share it, but our skill level is super high. That makes it easier. Quite honestly (Thursday) we didn’t really call many, any plays. That’s just them out there hoopin’.”
The Cavaliers’ high-level passing was on full display back on Jan. 3, when Cleveland downed Dallas 134-122. Garland had nine of the Cavaliers’ 38 assists in that win.
Cleveland, sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings at 39-9, is likely somewhat focused on the looming trade deadline set for Thursday. The Athletic has reported that the Cavaliers are interested in Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson, who is averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season.
If the Cavs were to pursue Johnson, they would do so without offering any members of their core in a potential trade, per the report.
