Carrying the momentum of back-to-back home wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks into Thursday’s matchup, the Mavericks (16-30) then found themselves playing without 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (rest), starting point guard Deron Williams (left great toe sprain), swingman Wesley Matthews (right hip strain) and veteran reserve J.J. Barea (left calf strain). The undermanned Mavs would also see 10-day contract signee Pierre Jackson go down with a left hamstring strain in the first half, leading to his eventual release on Saturday and the signing of NBA Development League standout Yogi Ferrell. Now, with Nowitzki and Matthews expected to return to the court, the Mavericks will attempt to overcome their piling injuries and do what they’ve failed at twice already this season by taking down the Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs.
Game 47: Mavs at Spurs
