The Sacramento Kings play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Golden One Center on Friday.

The Mavericks (43-29) have been much better in the second half of the season, entering this matchup winning nine of their last 10 games. That's the form we expected to see from this club all season but the moves at the deadline have clearly had a positive impact. Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington have been phenomenal additions in the frontcourt, and that's all this club needed, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving dominating in the backcourt. Luka isn't getting enough MVP consideration for what he's doing this season, averaging 33.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. As long as that continues, Dallas should be able to maintain their top 6 spot in the West.

The Kings (42-30) come into this matchup winning eight of their last 12 games, doing everything possible to avoid the Play-In Tournament. That recent run has Sacramento sitting eighth in the West, but they're nipping at the heels of everyone ahead of them. The Los Angeles Clippers are only three games head in fourth place, with the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns and Mavericks in the middle of those teams. All of those clubs are going to do everything possible to avoid the Play-In Tourney because a date with the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors in an elimination game is a nightmare. Sacramento has to be one of the favorites to avoid it, finishing third in the Western Conference last year.

This is the fourth matchup between these teams, with Sacramento winning two of three.