Dallas @ Sacramento preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 13, 2018 ) Sacramento 114, Dallas 109

Two of the worst teams in the NBA square off on Tuesday when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Sacramento Kings. The squads are a combined 55 games below .500 and were never a factor in the Western Conference playoff race this season.

The Mavericks will miss the playoffs for the second straight season and also have lost 50 games for the first time since experiencing a dreadful 20-62 campaign in 1997-98. Sacramento's plight is certainly worse as Sunday's 104-93 loss to the Boston Celtics clinched its eighth 50-loss season in the past 10 campaigns. "It's tough," rookie guard Bogdan Bogdanovic told reporters after the loss to Boston. "No matter you win, you lose, nothing changes, you're out of the playoffs. It's not like you don't have motivation, but when you win you don't feel that feeling of an important win." Dallas limps into Sacramento on a five-game losing streak after falling 102-98 to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-51): Rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is undergoing growing pains and he experienced a tough one on Saturday when a late game-tying or game-winning shot was called for him. As Smith got sloppy with his ball-handling, Charlotte All-Star Kemba Walker poked the ball away and won the wrestling match for the ball with 5.6 seconds left as the Hornets prevailed. "I feel like I've made strides, but there's always room for improvement," the 20-year-old Smith, who is averaging 15.1 points and 4.9 assists, told reporters. "It's a process and I'm trusting it. I'm going to keep doing my work. The progress is going to show."

ABOUT THE KINGS (24-50): Bogdanovic came to the NBA from the Turkish League and has split time with Buddy Hield this season, but his shooting has been streaky and he is just 30-of-96 from the field over the past nine games. "I can feel I'm a little bit tired, maybe more tired than other players," the 25-year-old Bogdanovic told reporters. "For sure I will be more ready next season and this summer will help me for sure." Hield poured in 24 points off the bench in the loss to Boston and is averaging 21 over the past six games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Kings are 2-1 against the Mavericks this season and won six of the past eight meetings.

2. Dallas PF/C Dirk Nowitzki is averaging four points on 4-of-15 shooting over the past two games and is doubtful for Tuesday due to knee tendonitis.

3. Sacramento PF Zach Randolph (stomach illness) and G Garrett Temple (ankle) could each miss their third straight game.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 95, Kings 94