Game: Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Odds: Mavericks -4, Spurs +4
Total: 230.5
Two of the most talked-about teams from the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, will open their respective campaigns tonight when they play at the newly renamed Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Both teams hope to return to the postseason after missing out in 2022–2023. Last season, San Antonio finished tied for the worst record in the Western Conference with a record of 22-60, which is the third-worst performance in franchise history. As a result, the Spurs were awarded the first pick in the NBA draft and went on to select 7-foot-4 French teenager Victor Wembanyama, who is regarded as the best prospect in the league since LeBron James.
Wembanyama has been incredibly impressive during the preseason, showcasing his shooting ability, shot-blocking prowess, and deft ball handling. In addition to forward Keldon Johnson, who led the team in scoring last season with 22 points per game, the Spurs’ starting lineup will also include former lottery picks Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan at guard as well as Zach Collins at center.
Coach Gregg Popovich of the Spurs, the all-time winningest coach in the league, is entering his 28th season on the bench and anticipates his team to win more games this year. Since San Antonio’s last meaningful postseason opportunity in 2020, the team has mostly concentrated on developing young players.
Dallas, on the other hand, is trying to figure out how to utilize its two best players, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. The pair played together in just 16 games after Irving was acquired by the Mavericks on February 6.
Forward Grant Williams, who was acquired from Boston in July, will start alongside Doncic and Irving. The other two spots are still up for grabs. Josh Green, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dante Exum are vying for the shooting forward position, with rookie Dereck Lively II having the inside track to start at center.
Doncic’s availability for tonight’s game remains uncertain as he continues to heal from a mild left calf strain, according to reports. He is still listed as questionable for tonight. Collins is questionable for the Spurs and Devonte Graham will not play for San Antonio. He is suspended for the first two games of the season.
Dallas is 7-1 SU in its last eight games against San Antonio. The Mavs have had little trouble with the Spurs on the road. Dallas is 5-0 SU in the last five games against the Spurs in San Antonio. The Spurs finished last season with a 3-8 SU and ATS run in their final 11 games. San Antonio was one of the poorest defensive teams in the NBA last season. They finished 30th in scoring defense allowing over 123 points a game. They trended Over last season and each of the last six Mavs-Spurs games has gone Over the game total.
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