GAME 1: San Antonio Spurs (0-0) vs. Dallas Mavericks (0-0) | 8:30pm CST ESPN!

[SleepingHero]

[Smitty]

@GrantAfseth
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. San Antonio Spurs:

Daniel Gafford: Doubtful (Right Ankle Sprain)
Danté Exum: Out (Right Knee Injury Management)
Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee Surgery)


@mattgzman
Spurs Injury Report vs. Mavericks:

De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) - OUT
Lindy Waters III (eye) - OUT
Jeremy Sochan (wrist) - OUT
Kelly Olynyk (heel) - OUT

[michaeltex]

So a lot of focus on containing Wemby tonight? Even without Gaff, DAL should have enough length to match up well.

I didn't realize Harrison Barnes was still playing...or that he's only 33. Hard to believe he was every brought to DAL to be the "star" of the team.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

After tonight, we're either winning the championship or it's #teamtank time.

[KillerLeft]

I'm mildly optimistic that Flagg is going to look more like a winner than Wemby in this one. I know that's a thin branch to walk out onto, and I might be eating those words late tonight, but idk...I'm just not a believer in Wembenyama yet, at least in terms of being a catalyst for winning. It's not all his fault - I don't think anyone knows quite how to use him yet. But, I think Flagg is a psychotic, competitive winner, and I'm hoping he puts the world on notice right away tonight.

[Chicagojk]

If close game, I think end of game offense will be something to watch for both teams. It is a concern for me with the Mavs. I can also seeing it be an issue for the spurs. Especially without Kyrie and Fox on the court.

[david75090]

I think it's Flagg's team. The sooner they build around him the better. He seems to be a team oriented type player, that plays hard. Find guys that fit his style, move those that don't. Time spent doing anything else is time wasted.

[KillerLeft]

If close game, I think end of game offense will be something to watch for both teams.  It is a concern for me with the Mavs.  I can also seeing it be an issue for the spurs.  Especially without Kyrie and Fox on the court.

I think the Rockets offense from last night portends what we're likely to see from the Mavs. Durant and Sengun were basically the "guards," believe it or not. Both above the break, initiating each action. It was weird, but almmmmmmost effective enough to beat the champs. 

The problem (potentially) is that I think Sengun might actually be better in that specific role than AD. Obviously, we know KD is better in a role like that than a rookie. Still, it was interesting to see, and I suppose my mind is a little more open to this newly developing style than it was 24 hours ago.

[michaeltex]

Interestingly, right now I don't think about the Mavs as having a main player, like a Luka or Steph or Kawaii or SGA. That may change as the season progresses, but right now there is nobody that you automatically assume would take the final shot to win at the buzzer.

May help keep defenses honest in crunch time.

[Jym]

Interestingly, right now I don't think about the Mavs as having a main player, like a Luka or Steph or Kawaii or SGA. That may change as the season progresses, but right now there is nobody that you automatically assume would take the final shot to win at the buzzer.

May help keep defenses honest in crunch time.

We'll probably just get a heavily contested long 2 from AD

[mvossman]

I think the Rockets offense from last night portends what we're likely to see from the Mavs. Durant and Sengun were basically the "guards," believe it or not. Both above the break, initiating each action. It was weird, but almmmmmmost effective enough to beat the champs. 

The problem (potentially) is that I think Sengun might actually be better in that specific role than AD. Obviously, we know KD is better in a role like that than a rookie. Still, it was interesting to see, and I suppose my mind is a little more open to this newly developing style than it was 24 hours ago.

With Gafford being out, we will probably see a fair amount of AD at the 5.  It will be interesting to compare and contrast.

[KillerLeft]

With Gafford being out, we will probably see a fair amount of AD at the 5.  It will be interesting to compare and contrast.

The question for me is: will Kidd use those differing lineups to matchup with the opponent, or will he figure out that he should zig when they zag?

[vfromlmf]

Amen Thompson was 18/4/5 ... if Flagg puts up those numbers on the season I think his rookie year will be considered a success. I have Flagg optimistically 19/7/4 ... so we'll see.

Sengun put up 39/11/7 ... if AD posts those numbers in a single game I'll be shocked. He's capable. But I have him at 23/9 with 4 TOs and 0-4 on threes tonight ...so we'll see.

KD was 23/9 on 16 shots ... Dallas doesn't have a healthy player on the roster who is that efficient

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[CBS Sports] The Mavericks intend to deploy No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg as their starting point guard for Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs. The Mavericks will start Flagg, Thompson, Washington, Davis and Lively II.

[Jym]

[CBS Sports] The Mavericks intend to deploy No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg as their starting point guard for Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs. The Mavericks will start Flagg, Thompson, Washington, Davis and Lively II.

Part of me hates it since the spacing is going to be abysmal but on other hand those are the best 5 players  
Play the best and roll with it I guess

[Chicagojk]

Part of me hates it since the spacing is going to be abysmal but on other hand those are the best 5 players  
Play the best and roll with it I guess

I am surprised about this.   If true, I think it came down to PJ being your third best player (with a new contract) at the moment and he just forced his way.  Klay has more pull than DLO.  It will only be 4 or so minutes and then the rotations can start.  I really thought they would start a pg though. 

Ok, over under in minutes.  Over/under 15 minutes from Powell tonight?  And over under 12 minutes for Nembhard.   What is your choice?

[Jym]

I am surprised about this.   If true, I think it came down to PJ being your third best player (with a new contract) at the moment and he just forced his way.  Klay has more pull than DLO.  It will only be 4 or so minutes and then the rotations can start.  I really thought they would start a pg though. 

Ok, over under in minutes.  Over/under 15 minutes from Powell tonight?  And over under 12 minutes for Nembhard.   What is your choice?

I'm taking the under for both 
Powell more likely if they're going to try to stick to PF Davis early

[mvossman]

Part of me hates it since the spacing is going to be abysmal but on other hand those are the best 5 players  
Play the best and roll with it I guess

All of me hates it.  Not only do I think spacing (and creation) will be an issue on offense, I think that lineup is going to really struggle with perimeter defense.  It helps that SA is not a very good 3 point shooting team, so maybe they can get away with it in spurts.

[DallasMaverick]

[CBS Sports] The Mavericks intend to deploy No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg as their starting point guard for Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs. The Mavericks will start Flagg, Thompson, Washington, Davis and Lively II.

Who does SA start?

Wemby 
Vassel 
Castle
Harrison Barnes
Dylan Harper?

[DallasMaverick]

I am surprised about this.   If true, I think it came down to PJ being your third best player (with a new contract) at the moment and he just forced his way.  Klay has more pull than DLO.  It will only be 4 or so minutes and then the rotations can start.  I really thought they would start a pg though. 

Ok, over under in minutes.  Over/under 15 minutes from Powell tonight?  And over under 12 minutes for Nembhard.   What is your choice?

Under for both.

Unless it’s a blowout.