On February 27th, the Dallas Mavericks faced the Charlotte Hornets at the American Airlines Center, securing a narrow 103-96 victory to kick off their three-game home stand. This win marked the Mavericks' sixth triumph in their last seven home games, but it was far from the easy matchup many had anticipated.
The Hornets, struggling with injuries and facing significant defeats leading up to this game, were anything but easy to manage. Before their visit to Dallas, Charlotte had suffered losses by margins of 14, 53, 42, and 36 points. Yet, they challenged the Mavericks, managing to lead at 60-57 during the third quarter and tying the game again late in the fourth.
Despite holding the home court, the Mavericks found themselves struggling offensively and being dominated on the boards. It took a big layup from Kyrie Irving to help the team regain momentum. By the ten-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks had surged to an 80-71 lead, thanks to Irving’s leadership and contributions from newcomer Moses Brown, who added 20 points and 11 rebounds to his tally.
Though the Hornets tied the game again at 85, the Mavericks responded with key plays, pushing themselves to a 94-87 lead with just four minutes to go. But Charlotte would not go quietly, scoring twice to close the gap to 94-91.
It was then Irving came through when it mattered most—he not only stole the ball but also secured an offensive rebound, which set up Klay Thompson for a three-pointer. Following his own strong drive to the basket, Irving solidified the Mavericks' 99-91 advantage, and they were able to breathe easier as they capped off the night with this victory, breaking their two-game losing streak.
Irving ended the match as the leading scorer for the Mavericks, finishing with 25 points. Klay Thompson contributed with 18 points, and Dante Exum added 12 points off the bench. With this win, the Mavericks improved their season record to 32-28 and find themselves competing fiercely for playoff positioning.
Despite their success, the Mavericks must remain vigilant. They are currently engaged in hard-fought competition with the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Los Angeles Clippers for playoff spots six through ten. With only two games separating these five teams, this victory was particularly important to maintain their position.
The Hornets, now down to 14-43, remain entrenched at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Their recent run has been marred by injuries and poor performance, as they have continued their strategy of what many call ‘mega-tanking.’ Key players like Grant Williams have been sidelined with injuries for the season, and others, including LaMelo Ball and Jusuf Nurkic, remain questionable for upcoming games.
This game showcased the Mavericks’ need to capitalize on opportunities against teams struggling as the Hornets are. Dallas hopes to keep this momentum going as they prepare to face more competitive teams, including the Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks, over the next few days.
The Mavericks are fully aware of the stakes involved. Coach Jason Kidd emphasized the importance of every game, noting, "The Mavericks took care of business," as they look toward the brief homestand as pivotal to their playoff aspirations.
Irving’s clutch plays illustrated what the Mavericks need as they rally for the final stretch of the season. They have the talent, and with their recent home court resurgence, they aim to continue this winning trend as they move forward.