Shootaround report: Brand hopes to make up for 'lost opportunity' vs. Sixers

(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Earl K. Sneed reports from the Dallas Mavericks' Tuesday morning shootaround before the team's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, as big man Elton Brand tries to even the score against his former squad.

Shootaround report: 76ers (12-12) at Mavericks (11-13)
Brand hopes to make up for 'lost opportunity' vs. Sixers

DALLAS — With a 17-point, eight-rebound effort against his former team back on Nov. 27, Dallas Mavericks big man Elton Brand thought he’d done enough to help his current team defeat the Philadelphia 76ers.

But Brand’s effort was wasted as the Mavericks started the fourth quarter with six consecutive turnovers — finishing with 15 for the night — before falling to a 100-98 defeat. And with that fourth period serving as the start to the Mavs’ reckless play of late, Brand will once again try to help led the charge as the Dallas team seeks retribution on its home floor.

“The goal right now is just to get a W,” Brand said after the Mavs’ Tuesday morning shootaround as both teams try to bring an end to three-game losing skids. “We’re losing, we’re on a schneid. They’re losing a little bit, so I know Coach [Doug] Collins is going to have them ready and I know [Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle] is going to have us ready. So, it’s going to be a tough battle tonight.”

Meanwhile, the Mavericks focused on cutting down on those miscues without Carlisle at Tuesday’s walkthrough, as the coach attended the funeral service of a team season-ticket holder. And with center Chris Kaman back with the squad after missing Monday’s practice to also attend a funeral service for his family in Michigan, the Mavs will try to address their 21.7 turnovers a game during a winless three-game road trip.

“It’s been a lost opportunity,” Brand said after the Mavs fell two games below .500 without 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (right knee surgery) on their road trip.

He added: “Our turnovers, that’s been our problem when we’ve lost games this season. We need to get ahead of that, stop turning the ball over, hit those boards and we should be fine.”

Note: The Mavericks return home and host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, trying to avenge a 100-98 defeat in Philly on Nov. 27. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS (6287) or by visiting Mavs.com.