5 Questions for Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs Season Opener
The San Antonio Spurs (0-0) welcome the Dallas Mavericks (0-0) to the Frost Bank Center to begin the season tonight at 8:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Spurs' first opponent, we spoke with DallasBasketball.com editor-in-chief Dalton Trigg.
1. The Mavericks are entering their first full year with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as a duo. What can people expect from them?
A much different team than last season, that’s for sure. Doncic and Irving only played 16 games together as the Mavs missed the postseason. They’re back, they’re healthy (for the most part - Doncic has been battling a left calf strain), and they’ve got a much-improved supporting cast around them featuring Grant Williams, Dereck Lively II, Seth Curry, Derrick Jones Jr. and others. Expect to see a team of players who accept their roles, which is something Dallas lacked a year ago.
2. Which matchup are you most looking forward to for the game?
Lively vs. Wembanyama. Wemby has received most of the hype this year, and for good reason, but the No. 12 overall pick isn’t too shabby himself. Being mentored by Mavs legend Tyson Chandler, Lively is excited to “do the dirty work,” as he told DallasBasketball.com over the summer.
3. What's something people should know about the Mavs that cannot be found in a box score?
Josh Green, who just signed a three-year, $41 million contract extension, is a lot more valuable to the Mavs than his raw averages might suggest. The fourth-year guard/forward is a glue guy whether he starts or comes off the bench. He shoots over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from deep, but it’s the little things he does on the defensive end of the floor that helps him make an impact.
4. If the Mavs win on Wednesday, what will be the reason why?
Limiting turnovers. If the Mavs can take care of the ball and avoid giving up easy transition points to the Spurs, they shouldn’t have much trouble spoiling Wembanyama’s NBA debut … assuming Doncic does play. He’s currently listed as “questionable.”
5. What’s your prediction for the game?
After all the opening-night jitters have passed, I expect the Mavs to ultimately be too much for the Spurs. Mavs win 117-107.
