Cavaliers at Mavericks
7:30 p.m. Friday, American Airlines Center, Dallas TV: FSSW Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM Records: Cavaliers 22-42, Mavericks 30-34 About the Cavaliers: Cleveland will be without its biggest weapon, point guard Kyrie Irving, who has a sprained shoulder. Irving leads the Cavs in scoring (23 ppg), assists (5.7), steals (1.61) and minutes played (35.1) per game. … The Cavs lead the Eastern Conference in second-chance points (15.5 per game) and are second in the NBA. … Cleveland ranks sixth in the league in fewest turnovers (14 per game) and since Jan. 14 are averaging an NBA-low 12.3 turnovers per game. … Since Feb. 1, the Cavs’ reserves are averaging 38.7 points a game. … Former Texas Longhorn Tristan Thompson has 19 double-doubles over his past 38 games for the Cavs, who have dropped four of their past six games. About the Mavs: This is the second game of a back-to-back for Dallas, and the second of four games in five nights. … The Mavs are only 17-12 at home and must have a rapid improvement in that area if they want to make the playoffs, since they play eight of their next nine games at home. … The Mavs beat the Cavs in Cleveland 103-95 on Nov. 17 with the help of two 9-0 runs in the fourth quarter. … Shawn Marion, the Mavs’ top defender, will be re-evaluated today after missing the past four games with a left calf contusion. … Tonight starts a string where the Mavs play four of their next five games against Eastern Conference opponents. — Dwain PriceHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
