The Golden State Warriors face off against the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day, bringing festive basketball action to fans. Scheduled for December 25, 2023, at 5 p.m. EST in San Francisco, this matchup features two teams looking to improve their standings in the competitive Western Conference.
As of now, the Mavericks hold a record of 12-19, placing them 11th in the conference, while the Warriors are at 15-15, sitting eighth. The Warriors have performed moderately well against conference rivals with an 11-10 record, though they have struggled in close games, recording a 2-2 mark in contests decided by three points or fewer. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have had a tougher time against Western Conference opponents, managing only six wins against 13 losses.
The Warriors have demonstrated a shooting percentage of 45.2% from the field this season, slightly below the 46.2% the Mavericks allow their opponents. In contrast, Dallas has a higher shooting percentage of 46.6%, which is 0.7% above what Golden State’s opponents have achieved this year.
Key Performers and Recent Trends
Among the standout players for the Warriors is Stephen Curry, who averages 26.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his scoring prowess over the past ten games with a shooting percentage of 43.5%. Jimmy Butler III contributes significantly as well, with averages of 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.
The Mavericks’ top performer, Cooper Flagg, has been impactful, averaging 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Additionally, D’Angelo Russell has been a reliable three-point shooter, making an average of 3.0 shots from beyond the arc in his last ten games.
Recent performance trends indicate that the Warriors have gone 5-5 in their last ten games, averaging 112.4 points, 45.8 rebounds, and 28.7 assists per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.9 points in these matchups. The Mavericks, in contrast, have performed slightly better, recording a 6-4 record, averaging 120.8 points and shooting 51.0% from the field, while their opponents have scored 120.5 points on average.
Injury Reports
In terms of player availability, the Warriors will be without Al Horford due to a back injury, while Seth Curry is listed as day to day with a thigh issue. The Mavericks are facing a more serious injury list, with Kyrie Irving out due to a knee injury and Dante Exum sidelined for the season with a knee problem. Other Dallas players, including Max Christie, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell, are also dealing with various injuries and are listed as day to day.
As the Warriors and Mavericks prepare for this crucial Christmas Day matchup, fans can expect an exciting game filled with high stakes and thrilling basketball action. The outcome could significantly impact both teams as they look to solidify their positions in the standings for the remainder of the season.
