Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8:30pm EST

The Brooklyn Nets are back on national TV in primetime Saturday night, to take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Brooklyn will be going for their 9th straight win, having to play without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Enter, James Harden.

Doncic vs. Harden: who both likely to triple-double tonight, but who does it in the first half?

Hey, maybe Jeff Green does.

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (22-12) vs. Dallas Mavericks (15-16)

WHEN: 8:30 PM EST

WHERE: ABC (tv), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview.

So what to make of Porzingis? He’s injured again and there are some mentions of him possibly getting traded. The Mavs need him to be that second star and frontcourt presence, and he just hasn’t been able to do that enough since he came over from the Knicks two years ago. Assuming he’s out again, the Mavs will rely on Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dwight Powell for most of their frontcourt production. Not the best situation for our friends in Texas.

Nicolas Claxton keeps on shining. The second-year big put forth another solid showing in his time on the court and is quickly getting up to speed with Steve Nash’s schemes and plays. The good thing about this season for him is there’s no pressure on him to produce and he has good teachers on the roster and coaching staff to aid his development. He’s rangy, has active hands, can jump out of the gym, and is full of energy. Fans love young players like that and the more he plays, the better the team will be in the short and long term.

“Nic works his ass off, man,” said DeAndre Jordan on Friday. “As far as motor and learning how to play the game, he’s awesome. Clax is going to be a great player in this league for a very long time.”

For more on the Mavs, check out Mavs Moneyball.