You know the feeling after a blistering hot summer when you step outside and feel a nice breeze on the cusp of the first day of fall? Yeah, Mavs fans, that’s the exact emotion that’s taking over your body as the NBA regular season is right around the corner. But, before the Mavs tip-off against the Suns next Wednesday, there’s one more preseason contest before the wins and losses start counting.
Following a trip to China to play two exhibition games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas will finish up the preseason tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. In China, the Mavericks split the two games with the 76ers while Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes sat out due to injury. DeAndre Jordan remained in Dallas due to personal reasons.
With tonight being the last exhibition before the regular season kicks off, what is there to focus on?
The continued ascension of Dennis and Luka’s chemistry
When the Mavs made the move to acquire Luka Doncic in the draft, some people were skeptical that he and Dennis Smith Jr. would mesh well on the court together. Well, during the offseason and preseason, those skeptics have been silenced as the two new faces of the franchise have shown flashes of being a special duo. Luka has taken considerable pressure off of DSJ’s shoulders as he adds a formidable playmaker to the offense. The two have combined for nearly 30 points per game throughout the preseason while dishing out a combined eight assists. Having two, electric playmakers in the same backcourt will create tremendous problems for opposing defenses.
Dorian Finney-Smith’s progression
With Harrison Barnes sidelined with a hamstring strain, Doe-Doe has stepped into the starting lineup and has played very well. Finney-Smith’s athleticism and defensive ability has never been in question, but his shot making ability has always been his kryptonite. It’s evident that so far that Doe-Doe has taken strides with his shot from downtown, making just under 38% of his threes during the preseason, up from his 29% average over his first two seasons in Dallas. For him to be a true positive asset on the floor, especially in Harrison’s absence, DFS has to be able to spread the floor offensively.
Mavs buzz in China was all about Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr., but it’s notable that Dorian Finley-Smith was solid as fill-in starter. Finney-Smith is one of Mavs’ best 3 shooters in practice, per internal analytics. If he hits them in games, he’s a good, young role player.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 9, 2018
Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber filling in for Dirk
As we all know, the Big German has a flat tire, as he continues to rehab his sore achilles in which he tweaked in a pick-up game before training camp. With Dirk on the bench, that means more minutes for Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber, who have both made an impact during preseason. Combining for 22.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game as well as Kleber blocking two shots per game and shooting 50% from threes, the two back up big men have left their mark out on the floor. With Kleber becoming more and more comfortable stretching out to the three point line and Powell’s excellence in the pick-and-roll, these two will be called upon to step up while Dirk is sidelined.
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