There was little reason to believe that the Dallas Mavericks would have any trouble with the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The Mavericks are fighting for a playoff spot while the Hornets are already eliminated. Charlotte also was on the back end of a back-to-back and undermanned. Plus, the game was in Dallas.
All signs pointed to the Mavericks winning and likely winning big. They came into the game as 16-point favorites.
But Dallas not only failed to cover the 16-point spread but lost the game outright. The Hornets dominated from the outset and while the Mavericks did climb back into the game, it wasn’t enough. Charlotte came away with a 117-109 victory.
In terms of point spread, it was the biggest upset of the NBA season.
The Mavs were 16-point favorites to beat the Hornets tonight.
Charlotte wins in the biggest upset of the season 😮 pic.twitter.com/zpULkydmmq
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 25, 2023
The NBA world came down hard on the Mavericks after their loss.
The Mavericks losing at home to the Hornets is an utter embarrassment. I’m disgusted watching this team.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 25, 2023
The Mavericks when playing against team that is literally trying to lose pic.twitter.com/ohxwp5MBdI
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) March 25, 2023
Mavs crowd with loud boos as the Mavs take a timeout down 67-85 to the Hornets. First boos I’ve heard in the AAC this year.
Luka & Kyrie are playing, LaMelo and Rozier are not. It’s not great.
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) March 25, 2023
What disappointments me most is that the Hornets it appeared from the outset wanted this game more than the Mavericks and that to me…is not just on the players, that's on Jason Kidd #MFFL
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) March 25, 2023
Mavs sure they want to protest that Warriors game? They lost by only 2.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 25, 2023
Friday was Dallas’ first game since Wednesday’s narrow and controversial loss to the Golden State Warriors, which the Mavericks have protested.
Regardless of how that protest ends up playing out, playing a team like the Hornets at home was a great chance for Dallas to right the ship. The Mavericks are still in playoff contention but will now need some help to even make the play-in rounds. Dallas is now 36-38, in 11th place in the Western Conference.
