Dallas Mavericks need to maximise homestand but Milwaukee Bucks stand in their way

DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks are playing at home five times in a six-game stretch, but they are hosting some heavy hitters during this crucial time for their National Basketball Association (NBA) play-off hopes.

That includes the visit from the Milwaukee Bucks on March 1 (March 2, Singapore time).

The Bucks, who rank among the Eastern Conference’s top six teams, beat the Denver Nuggets 121-112 in their last game on Feb 27, thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28-point, 19-rebound effort.

Kyle Kuzma, the recently acquired forward from Washington, could also play a big part following his 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Nuggets.

“Getting him involved, because of his vision and ability to go downhill, is just huge for that (starting) unit,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said of Kuzma, adding that his presence helps Milwaukee maintain a scoring edge late into games.

Milwaukee rank in the lower half of the league in fourth-quarter scoring with an average of 26.0 points, but they have averaged 28.1 fourth-quarter points since Kuzma arrived nine games ago.

The Bucks will now look to maintain a healthy scoring attack for all four periods against a Mavericks defence that has endured some ups and downs.

Dallas allow 113.1 points per game, falling just in the lower half of NBA defences.

However, they are coming off their first outing in which they held an opponent to fewer than 100 points since Jan 17 as they beat Charlotte 103-96 on Feb 27.

The Mavericks need all the interior support they can muster against the Milwaukee’s centre tandem of Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, with big men Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II all sidelined.

Davis, acquired in the blockbuster trade with Los Angeles that sent superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers, has played in