Basketball
Jason Kidd blasts his Players

Slaps Mavs with harsh Luka Doncic reality after 26-point loss to Nuggets
Jason Kidd slaps Mavs with harsh Luka Doncic reality after 26-point loss to Nuggets © Provided by ClutchPoints
Story by Ryan Bologna
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a 130-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, and head coach Jason Kidd spoke about what the team needs to improve on after the loss.
“We’ve got to be better defensively if we’re not scoring,” Jason Kidd said, via Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “So this is two games as a coach I’ve got to be better. The big thing is our defense has to be better; we just can’t rely on Luka to have 40 and bail us out.”
It would have been a tall task for the Mavericks to win against the Nuggets on Monday, as they were without both Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. Both Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II were in walking boots.
Luka Doncic did play, but he was feeling sick. Luka Doncic produced and put up 38 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists, but the performance from the rest of the team was not enough, as Kidd emphasized.
The Mavericks dropped to 16-10 on the season with the loss to the Nuggets, and it will be worth monitoring the injuries to Irving and Lively ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who are on a hot streak after gelling with James Harden in the fold.
A win on Wednesday against the Clippers would be a nice bounce back against arguably the hottest team in the NBA. As Kidd said, the team has to be better defensively, especially if Irving and Lively are not going to be on the floor
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Who is number one this Week?

January 29 NBA Power Rankings
Which NBA teams are currently the leading contenders at the top, and which teams are in the cellar? Look at our power rankings below to update you on where each team stands, KEVN Black Hills Fox writes.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Boston Celtics
- Current Record: 35-11 | Projected Record: 71-11
- Odds to Win Finals: +300
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 6th
- Last Game: L 115-96 vs Clippers
Next Game
- Opponent: Pelicans
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBCS-BOS, BSNO (Watch this game on Fubo)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Current Record: 32-14 | Projected Record: 65-17
- Odds to Win Finals: +1800
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 18th
- Last Game: L 120-104 vs Pistons
Next Game
- Opponent: Timberwolves
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSOK, BSN (Watch this game on Fubo)
3. Los Angeles Clippers
- Current Record: 30-14 | Projected Record: 65-17
- Odds to Win Finals: +700
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 11th
- Last Game: W 115-96 vs Celtics
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Cavaliers
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSOH, BSSC (Watch this game on Fubo)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Current Record: 32-14 | Projected Record: 61-21
- Odds to Win Finals: +1800
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 15th
- Last Game: L 113-112 vs Spurs
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Thunder
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSOK, BSN (Watch this game on Fubo)
5. New York Knicks
- Current Record: 29-17 | Projected Record: 59-23
- Odds to Win Finals: +3300
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 22nd
- Last Game: W 125-109 vs Heat
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Hornets
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSE, MSG (Watch this game on Fubo)
6. Philadelphia 76ers
- Current Record: 29-15 | Projected Record: 60-22
- Odds to Win Finals: +1100
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 30th
- Last Game: L 111-105 vs Nuggets
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Trail Blazers
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBA TV, ROOT Sports NW, NBCS-PH (Watch this game on Fubo)
7. Denver Nuggets
- Current Record: 32-15 | Projected Record: 62-20
- Odds to Win Finals: +425
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 8th
- Last Game: W 111-105 vs 76ers
Next Game
- Opponent: Bucks
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: ALT, BSWI (Watch this game on Fubo)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Current Record: 27-16 | Projected Record: 57-25
- Odds to Win Finals: +5000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 23rd
- Last Game: W 112-100 vs Bucks
Next Game
- Opponent: Clippers
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSOH, BSSC (Watch this game on Fubo)
9. New Orleans Pelicans
- Current Record: 26-20 | Projected Record: 51-31
- Odds to Win Finals: +5000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 7th
- Last Game: L 141-117 vs Bucks
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Celtics
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBCS-BOS, BSNO (Watch this game on Fubo)
10. Milwaukee Bucks
- Current Record: 32-14 | Projected Record: 56-26
- Odds to Win Finals: +500
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 29th
- Last Game: W 141-117 vs Pelicans
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Nuggets
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: ALT, BSWI (Watch this game on Fubo)
11. Indiana Pacers
- Current Record: 27-20 | Projected Record: 49-34
- Odds to Win Finals: +6600
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 21st
- Last Game: W 116-110 vs Grizzlies
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Celtics
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, January 31
- TV Channel: TNT, NBCS-BOS (Watch this game on Fubo)
12. Phoenix Suns
- Current Record: 26-20 | Projected Record: 43-39
- Odds to Win Finals: +1300
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 28th
- Last Game: L 113-98 vs Magic
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Heat
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBA TV, BSSUN, AZFamily (Watch this game on Fubo)
13. Sacramento Kings
- Current Record: 26-18 | Projected Record: 46-36
- Odds to Win Finals: +5000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 12th
- Last Game: W 120-115 vs Mavericks
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Grizzlies
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSE, NBCS-CA (Watch this game on Fubo)
14. Houston Rockets
- Current Record: 21-24 | Projected Record: 41-41
- Odds to Win Finals: +25000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 10th
- Last Game: L 106-104 vs Nets
Next Game
- Opponent: Lakers
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, SportsNet LA (Watch this game on Fubo)
15. Utah Jazz
- Current Record: 24-23 | Projected Record: 37-45
- Odds to Win Finals: +50000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 16th
- Last Game: W 134-122 vs Hornets
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Next Game
- Opponent: @ Nets
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: YES, KJZZ (Watch this game on Fubo)
16. Orlando Magic
- Current Record: 24-22 | Projected Record: 46-36
- Odds to Win Finals: +15000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 9th
- Last Game: W 113-98 vs Suns
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Mavericks
- Game Time: 8:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSW, BSFL (Watch this game on Fubo)
17. Dallas Mavericks
- Current Record: 25-21 | Projected Record: 41-41
- Odds to Win Finals: +4000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 14th
- Last Game: L 120-115 vs Kings
Next Game
- Opponent: Magic
- Game Time: 8:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSW, BSFL (Watch this game on Fubo)
18. Golden State Warriors
- Current Record: 19-24 | Projected Record: 37-45
- Odds to Win Finals: +6600
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 1st
- Last Game: L 145-144 vs Lakers
Next Game
- Opponent: 76ers
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 31
- TV Channel: TNT, NBCS-BA (Watch this game on Fubo)
19. Los Angeles Lakers
- Current Record: 24-23 | Projected Record: 37-46
- Odds to Win Finals: +3000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 3rd
- Last Game: W 145-144 vs Warriors
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Rockets
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, SportsNet LA (Watch this game on Fubo)
20. Miami Heat
- Current Record: 24-22 | Projected Record: 41-41
- Odds to Win Finals: +4000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 27th
- Last Game: L 125-109 vs Knicks
Next Game
- Opponent: Suns
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBA TV, BSSUN, AZFamily (Watch this game on Fubo)
21. Brooklyn Nets
- Current Record: 18-27 | Projected Record: 33-49
- Odds to Win Finals: +50000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 19th
- Last Game: W 106-104 vs Rockets
Next Game
- Opponent: Jazz
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: YES, KJZZ (Watch this game on Fubo)
22. Chicago Bulls
- Current Record: 22-25 | Projected Record: 31-50
- Odds to Win Finals: +30000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 25th
- Last Game: W 104-96 vs Trail Blazers
Next Game
- Opponent: Raptors
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 31
- TV Channel: NBCS-CHI, SportsNet (Watch this game on Fubo)
23. Memphis Grizzlies
- Current Record: 18-28 | Projected Record: 32-50
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 2nd
- Last Game: L 116-110 vs Pacers
Next Game
- Opponent: Kings
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSE, NBCS-CA (Watch this game on Fubo)
24. Toronto Raptors
- Current Record: 16-30 | Projected Record: 25-57
- Odds to Win Finals: +50000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 13th
- Last Game: L 126-125 vs Hawks
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Bulls
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 31
- TV Channel: NBCS-CHI, SportsNet (Watch this game on Fubo)
25. Atlanta Hawks
- Current Record: 19-27 | Projected Record: 28-54
- Odds to Win Finals: +20000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 24th
- Last Game: W 126-125 vs Raptors
Next Game
- Opponent: Lakers
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, January 31
- TV Channel: BSSE, SportsNet LA (Watch this game on Fubo)
26. San Antonio Spurs
- Current Record: 10-36 | Projected Record: 12-70
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 4th
- Last Game: W 113-112 vs Timberwolves
Next Game
- Opponent: Wizards
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSW, MNMT (Watch this game on Fubo)
27. Portland Trail Blazers
- Current Record: 13-33 | Projected Record: 16-65
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 5th
- Last Game: L 104-96 vs Bulls
Next Game
- Opponent: 76ers
- Game Time: 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: NBA TV, ROOT Sports NW, NBCS-PH (Watch this game on Fubo)
28. Washington Wizards
- Current Record: 8-37 | Projected Record: 11-71
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 26th
- Last Game: W 118-104 vs Pistons
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Spurs
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, January 30
- TV Channel: BSSW, MNMT (Watch this game on Fubo)
29. Detroit Pistons
- Current Record: 6-40 | Projected Record: 7-75
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 17th
- Last Game: W 120-104 vs Thunder
Next Game
- Opponent: @ Cavaliers
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 1
- TV Channel: BSOH, BSDET (Watch this game on Fubo)
30. Charlotte Hornets
- Current Record: 10-34 | Projected Record: 10-72
- Odds to Win Finals: +100000
- Strength of Schedule Rank: 20th
- Last Game: L 134-122 vs Jazz
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Basketball
Mark Cuban’s reason for selling Mavericks

…Is the changing NBA landscape of the NBA game
Mavericks owner Marc Cuban on the sidelines during the first half against the Lakers on Dec. 12, 2023. (LM Otero/AP)
Mark Cuban sees a future of NBA ownership where the advantages will be in real estate, Schuyler Dixon reports for the Associated Press.
The high-profile billionaire says that’s why he sold his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to a pair of families with strong ties to the hotel and casino industry.
On Wednesday, the NBA approved Cuban’s sale of a controlling interest in the Mavericks to the Adelson and Dumont families, who run Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The deal was approved just shy of a month after Miriam Adelson, Sivan, and Patrick Dumont announced their intention to buy the club. The purchase is in the valuation range of $3.5 billion.
Patrick Dumont, Adelson’s son-in-law and president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands, will serve as Mavericks governor. Adelson is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Cuban will be the alternate governor with a 27% stake in the club and maintain control of basketball operations. He made it clear that the franchise had no plans to leave Dallas.
“The advantage is what you can build and where, and you need somebody good at that,” Cuban said before the Mavs’ game against Cleveland on Wednesday night. “Patrick and Miriam, they’re the best in the world at what they do literally, around the world.
“When you get a world-class partner who can come in and grow your revenue base, and you’re not dependent on things that you were in the past, that’s a huge win,” Cuban said.
Miriam Adelson is the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp. This publicly traded Las Vegas company built the Venetian and Palazzo resorts but now only has casino operations in Macau and Singapore. Sheldon Adelson, the founder of Las Vegas Sands, died in 2021 at age 87.
Dallas Mavericks 2011 team
“Through our commitment and additional investment in the team, we look forward to partnering with Mark Cuban to build on the team’s success and legacy in Dallas and beyond,” the Adelson and Dumont families said in a statement. “The goal is to win and to have a team that proudly represents the greater DFW area and serves as a strong and valuable member of the local community.”
Cuban said when he bought the Mavericks in 2000, he had the advantage of understanding technology. He became a billionaire when Yahoo purchased the radio internet streaming company he co-founded.
Now, the future of media rights deals is in question. Diamond Sports, the company that owns the regional sports network that carries the Mavericks, is in bankruptcy proceedings.
Cuban said the sale makes revenue from media rights deals much less of a concern for the Mavericks.
“Financially, we’re in a far better position this afternoon than yesterday afternoon to compete like that,” Cuban said.
The 65-year-old insisted he would have the final say in hiring and firing coaches and signing free agents “unless we’re going to go hire somebody that cost $300 million a year.”
And Cuban said spending to keep the team competitive won’t be an issue with Patrick Dumont.
“He said, ‘Do what you’ve got to do. I want to win,’” Cuban said.
Gambling isn’t legal in Texas, and efforts to legalize it face steep odds. Still, Miriam Adelson has made no secret of her push to bring casino gambling to the Lone Star State.
Last year, she pumped more than $2 million into a political action committee called Texas Sands, which donated lavishly to state legislators and swarmed the GOP-controlled Capitol with lobbyists. She gave an additional $1 million separately to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
But the spending blitz failed to deliver a breakthrough this year in the Texas Legislature, where resistance to legalizing casinos runs deep.
Asked how active he would be in trying to get gambling legalized in Texas, Cuban said, “As active as I need to be because I think it’s the right thing for the state of Texas.”
“Honestly, I don’t care so much about sports betting,” Cuban said. “If you look at destination resorts and casinos, the casino part is tiny, relative to the whole bigger destination aspect of it. Could you imagine building the Venetian in Dallas, Texas? That would change everything.”
Dallas was one of the worst franchises in pro sports in the 1990s but turned into one of the best under Cuban, with a lot of help from star forward Dirk Nowitzki — now a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the leader of the team that won the 2011 NBA championship.
A self-professed basketball junkie who graduated from Indiana University, Cuban is almost always courtside for Mavericks games. He still will be.
“It’s a partnership,” Cuban said. “They’re not basketball people. I’m not a real estate person. That’s why I did it. I could have gotten more money from somebody else. I’ve known these guys for a long time. They’re great at the things I’m not good at.”
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Pumped Cavaliers rollover Mavericks

Refuse to break in comeback victory against Luka Doncic and Mavericks
The Cleveland Cavaliers received a late Christmas gift as Cleveland sports continue to define themselves with a next-man-up mentality in the face of injuries, Caleb Crowley reports for the King James Gospel.
Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns’ fanbases have endured emotional roller-coaster seasons, watching their best players fall to injury only to have surprise contributors lift them over tough opponents.
Without Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland or Evan Mobley, a depleted Cavs team willed themselves to a 20-point comeback on the road against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks to finish the night 110-107. At the end of the first half, Cleveland trailed the Mavs by 15, but a third-quarter surge by Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen brought the Cavaliers within single digits to start the final period.
LeVert led the Cavaliers in scoring with 29 points off the bench, followed by Jarrett Allen’s monstrous 24 points and 23 rebounds. Isaac Okoro shined once again in the starting five, ending with 22 points on a stellar 5-of-7 night from deep.
Out of Allen’s 23 rebounds, 9 came on the offensive glass, helping the Cavaliers to 15 second-chance points. Without Mobley at his side, Allen has been undeterred in the post, fighting tooth and nail for every missed shot on both ends of the court. Allen added six assists on the night, launching the ball to the open runner off of Dallas’ missed attempts.
As a team, the Cavaliers connected on 17 of their 43 3-point attempts and assisted on 33 of their 40 field goals on the night. Without their stars leading the way, Cleveland has consistently depended on an everchanging attack, finding the extra pass to an open shooter whenever possible.
The well-rounded team effort of Cleveland outlasted Doncic’s 39 points, but the primary tool that uplifted the Cavs was not the scoring and selfless passing. Rather, it was the same cornerstone that has defined this team for years: defense.
The Cavaliers earned their win with defense masterclass in Dallas
Isaac Okoro has had an undeniable offensive leap this season, but his defense has remained as stalwart as ever. Though his stat sheet does not display all the dribbles picked up and early passes he forces, his talent was on full display as he accepted the assignment of guarding Doncic all night.
The Cavaliers had one goal on defense, especially in the second half: make anybody other than Luka Doncic shoot the basketball. In the second half, the Cavs only allowed Doncic 10 points on 4-of-12 from the field and only gave him three free throws. With every botched Dallas possession, the Cavaliers wasted no time in running up the court and finding the hole in the Mavericks’ subpar defense.
Although the Cavaliers entered the night with a lengthy injury report, the Mavericks were not without their own missing star in former Cavalier Kyrie Irving. Without Irving, Cleveland’s defense suffocated Doncic’s every opportunity to close the game in the fourth quarter.
On top of their defense, the Cavaliers had another strong performance from a now-familiar face in Cleveland. Once again, undrafted rookie Craig Porter, Jr. put his nonstop energy and hustle on display, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists. Without a consistent 3-point shot, Porter struggles to put on highlight-reel scoring performances each game, but his mid-range talent, rebounding and defense kept the Cavaliers in the fight time and time again.
n one play alone, Porter continuously gave the Cavaliers extra possessions with offensive rebounds and quick hands until they finally drained a 3-pointer from Okoro. This type of resiliency on defense and offense gave the Cavaliers the energy to push past a Mavericks team that began to coast in the third quarter after a resounding early run.
Craig Porter Jr. would NOT allow this to be an empty possession pic.twitter.com/t4P1YFOT4a
— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) December 28, 2023
The Cavaliers now sit 18-13 on the season and have a 3-1 record without their star trio of Garland, Mitchell and Mobley. While the season still has plenty of action left with plenty of questions remaining for the Cavs, this stretch of grind-it-out wins has been exactly what they needed. While their recent injuries appeared to be a death mark on the Cavs’ chances to avoid the Play-In Tournament, they remain in the mix to overtake the New York Knicks for the coveted sixth seed.
Following this win, the Cleveland Cavaliers will return home to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to welcome the new star tandem of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, December 29 at 7:30 pm Eastern Time. The Bucks currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, making them Cleveland’s toughest opponent since Mobley and Garland exited. Mitchell may return to the lineup in time, but there is no confirmation yet.