PHOENIX, AZ- After the shortest professional off-season in history the Mavericks will begin their 2020-2021 campaign traveling the west coast making their first stop in Phoenix tonight, and then will travel to Los Angeles for their Christmas Day matchup against the defending NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas only played 3 preseason games and had less time to prepare than they would in a regular season, but like every other team in the NBA and other professional sports, adjustments have to be made.
Dallas will begin their NBA regular season facing the same team they faced to the end seeding portion of the bubble regular season. In that game there were 4 lead changes and 3 ties in the first quarter, but Phoenix took control and by halftime the Suns led the game with a score of 76-57, and led by at least 15 points for the remainder of the game. Dallas lost 128-102, and Phoenix finished the seeding portion of the regular season 8-0, but ultimately did not make the playoffs.
The Mavericks have an all time record of 3-0 when facing the Suns on opening night. The Mavericks and Suns most recent matchup was in the Orlando bubble where Phoenix won that game 128-120. The Suns won the 2019-2020 regular season series with a record 3-1, and has won 10 out of the last 13 games between the teams. The Mavericks currently have an all time record of 22-18 opening their season.
The Mavericks enter this season with a new team mantra. Defense will be at the forefront.
The Mavericks finished the preseason with a 2-1 record, and impressed in all 3 outings. Dallas forced 28 turnovers in their two preseason matchups against the Bucks, and 15 in their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their preseason finale. The Mavericks acquired players to fit the mold of an aggressive defensive team that can also convert and create opportunities on the opposite end of the floor like Josh Richardson who Rick Carlisle has praised as an excellent asset to this team, and veteran James Johnson who has gained the reputation of being an enforcer in the NBA. Dallas also performed well from behind the arc shooting around 40% from three point range in all 3 games.
Dallas’s leading scorer in the preseason was Luka Doncic who averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
If you haven’t heard or have been distracted by all of the bright lights and 1950s Christmas ballads, Chris Paul was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Phoenix Suns and he is adjusting quite well. The 16 year vet is excited about playing for Monty Williams again and joining a talented young team that features two of the NBA’s future stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
In Paul’s lone season with OKC he averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 assists per game shooting 48% from the field, and helped the Thunder reach the playoffs after everyone counted them out prior to the 2019-2020 season. Last season, Devin Booker had arguably one of his best seasons of his career averaging 26.6 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 48% from the floor and 35% from behind the arc, and finished 3rd in scoring. Former 1st overall pick Deandre Ayton only played in 36 games after serving a 25 game suspension in the 2019-2020 season. Ayton averaged 18.2 points, 10 rebounds per game, and shot 54% from the field. The Suns also acquired Jae Crowder who is known for his aggressive defensive play and proven veteran postseason experience after making his first NBA Finals appearance with the Heat in the 2020 Finals.
Last year the Mavericks snapped a three-game losing streak in season opening games defeating the Washington Wizards 108-100. Dallas has a record of 9-9 for opening nights on the road. Since becoming the Mavericks head coach in 2008, Rick Carlisle is 5-7 in opening night games.
Both teams finished the 2019-2020 carrying some momentum, and have awaited the chance to display the improvements they’ve made. Tonight we will see if the Mavericks will be able to extend their opening night winning streak to 2 games, and how much of their success in the preseason will translate into the regular season.
Maverick Starting Lineup
G Luka Doncic
G Josh Richardson
F Tim Hardaway Jr.
F Dorian Finney-Smith
C Dwight Powell
Suns Starting Lineup
G Chris Paul
G Devin Booker
F Mikal Bridges
F Jae Crowder
C Deandre Ayton
