Setting the Table: Washington Wizards (Game 32)
The Dallas Mavericks (12-19) look to start a new beginning in 2013 as they make their lone trip to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Wizards (4-24). As Dirk Nowitzki said after their sixth loss in a row, the Mavericks are now in a “must-win” game. The game will mark the second straight year, and the third time in franchise history, that the Mavericks will play on New Year’s Day. Dallas is 0-2 all-time in New Year’s Day games. The Mavericks lost, 111-105, at New Jersey on Jan. 1, 1983. Dallas also fell, 99-87, at Milwaukee last season on Jan. 1, 2012.
The game will mark the first night of a back-to-back for the Mavericks. Dallas is 1-7 in the first half of a back-to-back and 2-6 in the second half of a back-to-back this season. The Mavericks have 16 back-to-backs in 2012-13, with only one stretch of four games in five nights. In total, 10 back-to-backs are on the road, three begin at home and conclude on the road and three are road-to-home. Dallas played 22 back-to-backs in 2011-12, going 7-15 in the first half and 13-9 in the second half of those back-to-backs.
Washington will be without the services of John Wall, Trevor Booker, Trevor Ariza and A.J. Price. Jordan Crawford is listed as questionable with a sore left ankle. The Wizards went 3-11 during the month of December, so a loss to the Wizards would be very detrimental for the Mavericks.
Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Wizards

