It’s not often a player can step on the court with perhaps a better career resume than Warriors stars Kevin Durant or Steph Curry, but that will be the case on Saturday night (for now) as the Mavericks play their second-to-last game ever in Oakland – they are moving across the bay to San Francisco next season.

We of course are taking about Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, the greatest foreign-born player (to this point) in NBA history. Dirk, who got a very late start to this season due to injury, will pass the legendary Wilt Chamberlain fairly soon for sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. This is Nowitzki’s 21^st (and last) season with the Mavs, the most ever a player has suited up for one franchise.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Golden State has dominated Dallas the past few years but lost in Big D on Nov. 17 by a score of 112-109. Mavs rookie Luka Doncic (who might be the best foreign-born player by the time he’s done) was brilliant with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists. He hit the go-ahead shot late in the fourth quarter and the clinching free throws. Nowitzki hadn’t debuted yet. It was just the second time Dallas has beaten Golden State in their past 19 meetings. The Warriors were without Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Durant and Klay Thompson combined for 54 points, but the other three starters just 13.

The Warriors are on an 11-game home winning streak in the series. Dallas has covered just two of its past nine in Oakland.

Dallas Mavericks

Sometimes there’s a good loss. That was likely the case on Thursday at the LA Clippers for the Mavericks as the rookie Doncic was clearly the best player on the floor, finishing with 32 points (a few spectacular shots), five assists, four rebounds and four assists. Barring injury, he’s going to be NBA Rookie of the Year as well as an eventual MVP winner. Centre DeAndre Jordan was questionable against his former team with an illness but had 11 points and 22 rebounds.

Dallas was without excellent young point guard Dennis Smith Jr. again, and he’s not expected Saturday. That just allows Doncic more time with the ball. The Mavs are 0-5 ATS in their past five road games.

Golden State Warriors

Always somewhat newsworthy when the Warriors lose at full strength, and they did Wednesday night at Utah (a place the Dubs usually struggle), 108-103, as 3-point favourites. Unprecedented for Golden State to lose when Steph Curry and Kevin Durant both score at least 30 points, which happened Wednesday as Curry had 32 and Durant 30. However, the only other player in double digits was Klay Thompson with 12 (didn’t make a single three-pointer), and the Warriors got almost nothing from their bench.

Utah shot just 39.8 per cent from the field; it was the first time this season Golden State lost when holding an opponent under 40. That really may have been a one-off result as it was the Warriors’ only game on the road in a stretch of six.

Injuries

Dallas

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Out Wed Knee - 10 / 04 / 19

Courtney Lee (SG)

Ques Wed Hip - 08 / 04 / 19

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Ques Wed Knee - 07 / 04 / 19

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Tues Knee - 07 / 04 / 19

Jalen Brunson (PG)

Ques Sun Rest - 05 / 04 / 19

Dwight Powell (PF)

Ques Sun Rest - 05 / 04 / 19

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Fri Mouth - 02 / 04 / 19

Salah Mejri (C)

Ques Thurs Illness - 23 / 03 / 19

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

out for season Shin - 21 / 03 / 19

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Thurs Wrist - 19 / 03 / 19

Golden State

Kevon Looney (C)

Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19

Kevon Looney (C)

Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19

Andre Iguodala (SF)

Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19

Shaun Livingston (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19

Andre Iguodala (SF)

Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19

Kevon Looney (C)

Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19

Andre Iguodala (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19

Shaun Livingston (PG)

Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19

DeMarcus Cousins (C)

Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19

Injuries

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Out Wed	Knee - 10 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Kleber is experiencing left knee soreness and will not face the Spurs on Wednesday.
Courtney Lee (SG)	Ques Wed	Hip - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Lee missed the previous game with a left hip contusion and it is undetermined if he will play against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Ques Wed	Knee - 07 / 04 / 19	2-1	3-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo has been held out of the past two games with soreness in his left knee and it is undetermined if he will be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 07 / 04 / 19	2-1	3-0	+ -
Kleber sat out the previous game due to a right knee contusion but is likely to suit up against the Suns on Tuesday.
Jalen Brunson (PG)	Ques Sun	Rest - 05 / 04 / 19	2-2	3-1	+ -
Brunson sat out the previous game for load management reasons and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Grizzlies on Sunday.
Dwight Powell (PF)	Ques Sun	Rest - 05 / 04 / 19	2-2	3-1	+ -
Powell sat out the previous game for load management, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday's tilt against the Grizzlies.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Fri	Mouth - 02 / 04 / 19	4-2	4-2	+ -
Finney-Smith missed the previous game due to a mouth laceration but is likely to play Friday against the Grizzlies.
Salah Mejri (C)	Ques Thurs	Illness - 23 / 03 / 19	5-4	5-5	+ -
Mejri has sat out the last two games due to illness and it is uncertain if he will be available for Thursday's matchup against the Heat.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	out for season	Shin - 21 / 03 / 19	6-5	7-5	+ -
Hardaway Jr. has a left tibia stress reaction and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Thurs	Wrist - 19 / 03 / 19	6-5	8-5	+ -
Kleber sat out the previous game with a sprained left wrist but is likely to play against the Kings on Thursday.

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kevon Looney (C)	Prob Thurs	Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19	0-1	0-2	+ -
Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture.
Kevon Looney (C)	Ques Fri	Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19	1-3	3-2	+ -
Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SF)	Prob Sun	Calf - 31 / 05 / 19	1-3	4-2	+ -
Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Shaun Livingston (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 27 / 05 / 19	1-3	4-2	+ -
Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee.
Andre Iguodala (SF)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 19 / 05 / 19	2-4	5-3	+ -
Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors.
Kevon Looney (C)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 15 / 05 / 19	4-4	6-4	+ -
Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness.
Andre Iguodala (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 07 / 05 / 19	4-7	7-5-1	+ -
Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets.
Shaun Livingston (PG)	Prob Wed	Hip - 07 / 05 / 19	4-7	7-5-1	+ -
Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Wed	Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19	7-10	11-7-1	+ -
Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
DeMarcus Cousins (C)	Prob Thurs	Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19	8-11	12-8-1	+ -
Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps.

Mavericks vs. Warriors Prediction