Last Tuesday, the Mavericks picked up their second victory of the season with an impressive road win over the Washington Wizards.  Since then, Dallas has dropped two straight to fall to 2-12 this season.  The Mavs will look to get back into the win column Tuesday night when they face their in-state rival San Antonio Spurs.

Before a win at home against the Spurs last January, the Mavs had dropped seven straight games to the Spurs dating back to March 2015.  This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.  Dallas will head to the Alamo City later this month when the two teams will play at the AT&T Center on November 27th at 7:30 PM.

Following the two tough losses against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavs will continue to catch a bit of a break facing an injury-depleted Spurs bunch.  2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Spurs legend Tony Parker are both yet to play this season and are reportedly both weeks from returning.

San Antonio lost four in a row to fall to 3-4 earlier in the season, but has since won 4 of 5 to get to their current 8-5 record that slates them fourth in the early season Western Conference standings.  

The biggest story for Tuesday’s game will be if Rick Carlisle will continue his public humiliation act against Nerlens Noel.  San Antonio currently goes through big man LaMarcus Aldridge, who’s averaging about 22 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and Noel’s size and athleticism makes him the ONLY  logical choice for someone who could have a decent chance at slowing down Aldridge.  After a DNP- coach’s decision on Saturday against Cleveland and two minutes of garbage time on Sunday against the Thunder, it seems like a long shot that Noel will have “earned” more minutes for Tuesday’s game.

The Mavs’ occasionally stagnant offense could struggle against a San Antonio defense that currently ranks 4th in the NBA in points allowed per game at just under 100.  Ball movement will be key and simply running isolation plays for Harrison Barnes will not be enough.  

Dallas has had some glimpses of improvement the last five games or so, but only once were they able to piece together a good enough performance for a victory. Fans packing the American Airlines Center will need to come prepared to spark this team to a solid, four quarter performance if the Mavs will be able to pick up their third win on the season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30.  Tweet us during the game: @Dallas_Fanatic