Happy Holidays! I hope you and yours made some great new memories, and with the Maverick players finishing up their holiday traditions, it’s time to get back to work. The Dallas Mavericks return to the AAC tonight following a disappointing 0-4 road trip out West. Even with the losses piling up, the Mavs were in every game, against some of the toughest competition the Western Conference has to offer. MFFL’s look for a late Christmas present when the New Orleans Pelicans come to town.

Stopping AD and Randle

Okay, maybe stopping is the wrong word as Anthony Davis is one of the league’s top five players. However, allowing “The Brow” and Randle to both get 27 points again is not a recipe for success.

AD is more than a handful averaging 28 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. If Davis wasn’t enough of a challenge, Randle will most likely start in place of Mirotic tonight. He is having a great season and loves playing against (auditioning maybe?) Dallas. Slowing down this front court duo will be a problem, one that must be answered for the Mavs to have a chance.

Luka Magic

This has to be one of the more glorious winless road trips in recent memory. Featuring a few new bullet points for Doncic’s already robust resume.

With a career high 12 assists against fellow European star Nikola Jokic. Scoring a new (likely temporary) career-high 32 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. Going into the Bay Area and put on a show good enough to draw praise from reigning DPOY Draymond Green. Following all of it up with a clutch near impossible shot to force overtime in Portland. The only Magic missing was the elusive “W” at the end of games.

The NBA is a game of runs

It’s not uncommon for teams to be down 12 then up six only to lose by 10. That’s because this great sport is a game of runs, no lead is safe and there is almost always time for a comeback.

Dallas has taken this theory to new heights with their runs of winning and losing streaks. At this moment, they are trying to stop the bleeding at six straight defeats, now on the outside looking in at the playoff standings.

The timing seems right for the Mavs to make a new run starting tonight. The Pelicans arrive with their own four-game skid, can the Mavs extend it to five? Tune in tonight @ 7:30 on FSSW.