CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Mavericks’ no-good, very-bad tumble down the Western Conference playoff standings hit its lowest point — at least so far — Sunday in Spectrum Center.
Less than two full days after losing to the tanking Hornets in a boo-filled American Airlines Center, the Mavericks lost 110-104 in Spectrum Center while appearing just as sluggish and defensively disinterested to finish this home-and-home rematch.
The consecutive matchups against the now-25-win Hornets appeared to be near-guarantee victories before the weekend began, but the Mavericks led for just 17 seconds Friday and then 1:14 total after Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving 3-pointers gave them two temporary leads late in the fourth quarter Sunday.