The Dallas Mavericks (33-37) play host to the Detroit Pistons (39-31) Friday night, a game set for a 7:30 PM CT tip on MAVS TV and locally on Channel 29. The young turn-around Pistons are on their way to locking in a guaranteed playoff spot, while the Mavericks float in a purgatory between the fringes of the lottery and the last play-in spot in the West.
Dallas has gone 1-8 since Kyrie Irving’s last appearance at the start of the month, while the team barely stays afloat due to injury. But to their credit they’ve continued to fight with the tools they have, while players like PJ Washington have made their return from injury and the possible looming return of Anthony Davis. These teams last met in January, a 117-102 Mavericks’ loss, just 24 hours before Luka Doncic was traded. Most will be tuned into March Madness Friday night, but for those watching this is what’s worth keeping tabs on.
PJ Washington’s return
The starting forward in his first full season in Dallas has been a crucial cog on this roster. It feels like decades since they’ve had true success, but when they’ve had it, when they’ve been their most competitive, it’s in large part because of Washington. But for injury or otherwise, he’s played in just seven games since the end of January.
He returned this week and has come back with a vengeance, averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in those two games. Even though both ended in a loss, the team has been competitive, losing both by five or fewer points.
Washington is a leader on and off the floor and has had to take an unexpectedly larger role within the team. For whatever can be salvaged from this mess, his arc in Dallas is a positive.
Hardaway’s vengeance
Is Tim Hardaway Jr. getting the last laugh? After years of trade speculation the shooting guard was sent off last summer to Detroit, and has taken on a starting role on an exciting young playoff team as a veteran presence.
Hardaway isn’t averaging the same points he was in Dallas, but his 36-percent from three on nearly six attempts per game isn’t far off from his time in a Mavericks uniform. He wasn’t a big impact in the Pistons’ win in January, but with a down Dallas squad maybe Hardaway has a parting gift before heading to the playoffs while the Mavericks are left in question.
Edwards Farewell
Kessler Edwards has been a fascinating story in the midst of the chaos of the last two months. It is not common among teams that see themselves as something more than a tanker that they would rely so heavily on a two-way player. Especially one forced to play extremely out of position. He played sparingly in the first half of the season, but as turmoil arose and injuries decimated the front court Edwards was left standing.
The 6’8 forward has played a much larger role as a stopgap center for the Mavericks since mid-February, even in the stretch where the team stayed mostly competitive while Irving was still around. And over the last seven games he’s averaged 12 points and five rebounds while hitting 59 percent from three on modest volume. If Edwards plays Friday it will be his last game available on his two-way contract. Much will be forgotten about this season, but his effort in taking advantage of unexpected opportunities is worth applauding.
How to watch
Tip off is set for 7:30 PM CT at the American Airlines Center and can be watched on Mavs TV or locally on Channel 29.