On October 22nd, the Dallas Mavericks will kick off their season at home against the San Antonio Spurs. First overall pick Cooper Flagg will go up against Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama.
Dallas boasts an impressive supporting cast behind Flagg. Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson are both healthy, and Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II round out the frontcourt. Naji Marshall and PJ Washington can play on the wings, and D’Angelo Russell is a proven veteran.
Add in the Houston Rockets, and all three Texas teams are brimming with potential. Of course, Dallas has been bitten by the injury bug early, losing Kyrie Irving for the next several months to an ACL tear.
With their All-NBA point guard sidelined, the Mavericks have a major concern. The Spurs, meanwhile, have the talent to take advantage of Dallas’ weakness.
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to shoot against Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Frost Bank Center on October 25, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks Have Clear Weakness
Despite Victor Wembanyama apparently standing at 7-7, the Mavericks win the size debate. Flagg, Davis, Lively II, and Gafford are all oversized for their positions and should be able to dominate in the frontcourt.
The issue is in the backcourt. Russell is the only healthy, proven NBA point guard on the Mavericks’ roster. The Spurs are expected to be all over that, especially when he catches a breather.
“The Mavericks have nobody who can dribble except for D’Angelo Russell,” said Dave DuFour on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast. “For this game in particular, the Spurs kind of have some dogs when it comes to point-of-attack defense. Again, I also have watched the Mavs and felt better about them in the preseason, but I don’t feel good about this one.”
Flagg can handle the ball and distribute, but against veteran NBA defenders like Wembanyama, Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell, he will struggle. If Dallas can get the ball down low, Wembanyama is the only thing stopping the Mavs from scoring. That’s a big ask without any point guard depth.
Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions
Expect Flagg to dazzle at times and look lost at others. He is immensely talented, but has yet to play a proper NBA game. The Spurs, led by Wembanyama, present a unique challenge.
According to FanDuel, Dallas is favored by three points. Davis is expected to lead all scorers, followed by Wembanyama and then Flagg.
Both teams are expected to boast excellent defenses this season. For Wednesday’s matchup, it should come down to whichever team can weather the other’s defense better. The Spurs, on that end of the floor, are much more versatile and boast more wing scorers and better shooting, it would seem.
The Mavericks are expected to throw Flagg into the fire right away, asking him to run point. If he can keep his bearings, the Spurs should struggle against a bigger Mavericks’ team.
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