NBA begins an investigation into Mavericks possible tanking vs Bulls / News - Basketnews.com

The NBA has begun an investigation into Mavs roster decisions and game conduct, and motivations behind those actions, the league's spokesman Mike Bass told.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Credit Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Four important Dallas Mavericks players did not compete against the Chicago Bulls Friday night while Luka Doncic was benched after the first quarter which ended in a loss that eliminated them from play-in contention. The league has taken notice.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Coby White Points 24 Accuracy 10-17 Rebounds 7 Assists 11

Per Tim MacMahon from ESPN, the NBA has started an investigation into a possible tanking effort by the team.

"The NBA commenced an investigation today into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night’s Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions," the league's spokesman Mike Bass told.

The current Mavs concern is retaining the Top-10 protected first-round pick. Dallas holds the 10th-worst record in the league at the moment. Both Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who was not registered for the game vs Bulls, will be sidelined against theSan Antonio Spurson Sunday in hopes of increasing the chances of a loss.

If the Mavericks fail to be among the 10 worst teams in the league, their 2023 first-round pick will go to theNew York Knicksas part of theKristaps Porzingistrade.

Friday night was supposed to be the 'I feel Slovenia' night, honoring Doncic and his Slovenian fans with numerous of them making a transatlantic flight to see the match. Instead, they got to watch how their idol cheers on the bench while two-way and 10-day players compete on the court.

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