The Mavericks are not just 3-8 overall, 2-5 at home and in 14th place in the Western Conference.
They are injured, miserable and playing through taunts in their home arena. Near the end of Monday’s loss to the Bucks, Mavs forward P.J. Washington was at the foul line needing to make all three shots to tie the game, and had to shoot them while fans chanted “Fire Nico.” He missed his second attempt, ruining any realistic chance Dallas had of extending the game. Washington placed the blame on himself, but privately, other Mavericks players have expressed that so far this season, it’s been easier for them to play on the road than at home.
Monday’s loss to the Bucks marked the sixth straight game Davis has missed with a left calf strain. Multiple league sources said Davis has tried to convince the Mavs to let him return to the court, and Harrison urged him to return, but the team’s medical staff forbade it, citing the potential for a torn Achilles if Davis returned too soon.