The Dallas Mavericks (2-4) and Denver Nuggets (3-4) conclude their respective 2016-2017 NBA Preseason Games campaigns in a match against each other at the Pepsi Center on Oct. 21, Friday.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 9:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Dallas has only won two of its first six games in the preseason and it is presumed that the team is still adjusting to new acquisitions Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut. Barnes and Bogut both came from the Golden State Warriors during the summer.
Bogut is considered an upgrade over Zaza Pachulia, who is now with the Warriors, but Barnes is not, with Chandler Parsons (now with the Memphis Grizzlies) deemed as the better player overall of the two. However, Barnes is the more suitable role player as he demonstrated throughout the years in Golden State's star-studded roster.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle had been utilizing the two aforementioned players with Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, and Wes Matthews as his starting lineup throughout the preseason in an attempt to improve their chemistry before the new season's opening next week.
In their most recent game, the Mavericks were crushed by the Houston Rockets, 106-91, on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center with Dallas using the same starting unit.
Matthews and Nowitzki scored in double figures with 15 and 12 points in 25 and 26 minutes respectively. Matthews had a brilliant all-around game as he also had five rebounds, two assists, and four steals.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets has a decent preseason so far winning three of their first seven games. Their last one was a 97-87 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is currently out with a minor injury, but he is expected to be available for the start of the regular season next week.
In his place is veteran floor general Jameer Nelson and the former Saint Joseph's standout is doing a remarkable job.
Expectations are high for rookie Jamal Murray as head coach Mike Malone is expected to rely more on his young core moving forward.
Prediction
A win for old Nowitzki and the Mavs to end their preseason stint on a high note. Coach Malone rests his starters in preparation for their regular season-opener against the Anthony Davis-led New Orleans Pelicans next week.
