Two teams that had contrasting fortunes last season meet in their season opener on Thursday night, as the San Antonio Spurs face the Dallas Mavericks.
The American Airlines Center is the venue for the Western Conference clash, with the Mavericks faithful expecting an opening-game win against Victor Wembanyama and company.
Luka Doncic finished last season as the NBA’s leading points scorer – averaging 33.9 points per game during the regular season – but his health is a concern going into the opener.
The Slovenian has been struggling with a calf injury and the Dallas medical team are assessing him on a day-to-day basis ahead of the first game.
Coach Jason Kidd is already without Australian guard Dante Exum, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.
If Doncic doesn’t make it, then this looks a more even affair and the Spurs will have hope of at least running the Mavericks close.
After drafting Victor Wembanyama ahead of last season, there was a lot of optimism surrounding San Antonio.
Any hope was quashed though during November and December, when Greg Popovich’s men lost 18 games in a row and they eventually finished 14th in the West – with a 22-60 record.
Dallas though have won 11 of the last 12 games with the Spurs, including all four last season. Kidd’s men won by seven-25-23-six points and it’s hard to see anything other than a home win.
Summer trade addition Klay Thompson adds plenty of big-game experience to the Dallas roster and his addition takes a bit of the heat off Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Thompson won four NBA titles during his time with Golden State, and could play a key role from the start of this season. He'll provide plenty of off-ball movement and more floor spacing than the player he replaces, Derrick Jones Jr., did.
The 34-year-old averaged 17.9 points per game last season in a Warriors team that finished 10th in the West.
Despite the Spurs’ frustration last year, Wembanyama still shone and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
Now with a full NBA season under his belt, the 7-foot-4 center will be even more influential this term and the opening game gives him the chance to make a statement.
Wembanyama scored 26 points in the February clash at the American Airlines Center, when San Antonio lost 116-93.
The Spurs’ only injury concern going into Thursday’s game is the former Florida State wing Devin Vassell, who will miss out with a foot injury. Wembanyama will have to step up even more in Vassell’s absence.
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San Antonio Spurs | +245 ML |
Dallas Mavericks | -305 ML |
Spread | DAL Mavericks -7.5 |
Total Points | O/U 229.5 |
Luka Doncic (DAL Mavericks) | O/U 30.5 |
Victor Wembanyama (SA Spurs) | O/U 25.5 |
Kyrie Irving (DAL Mavericks) | O/U 22.5 |
Klay Thompson (DAL Mavericks) | O/U 16.5 |
Keldon Johnson (SA Spurs) | O/U 13.5 |
PJ Washington (DAL Mavericks) | O/U 12.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.