Dallas closed the preseason with a 135-111 loss to Atlanta, but none of that counts toward the record Houston starts building on October 21. The five days before that opener are the last break in the schedule for a while — the week closes with a back-to-back at the Pacers and home against the Spurs.
Houston Is The Real Target
The preseason finale meant nothing on the scoreboard that matters: Dallas is 0-0, and it stays that way until the Mavericks tip off at Houston on October 21. That date is also the regular-season opener, not just another rematch, even though Dallas already beat the Rockets 132-115 on October 11 in the preseason. Flagg logged 26 points and 12 rebounds in the finale; Irving added 18 on 6-of-12 shooting the same night. The five days between the Hawks loss and that opener are the only cushion Dusty May gets before games start counting, and the Mavericks aren't walking into it off a back-to-back or a stacked road trip. They're coming off just two games in the previous seven days.
A Soft Landing Before The Grind
After Houston, the week turns over fast. Dallas is at the Pacers on October 23, then home against the Spurs just one night later on October 24, a back-to-back built right into the first week of the season. The five days before the opener are the last clean rest the Mavericks get for a while; by the weekend, there's no night off between Indianapolis and Dallas.
Four Names Circle The Same Date
Tarik Biberovic, Dereck Lively II, Jett Howard and Santi Aldama are all working toward the same target: October 21, the same night Dallas opens at Houston. None of the four is cleared yet. Jorge Diaz-Graham left the roster on October 17, the only subtraction of the week, leaving Dusty May to sort out who actually suits up for the opener from a camp roster that is otherwise set.
When does the Mavericks' regular season start?
October 21 at Houston, which is also the Mavericks' only game of real consequence this week after a preseason finale loss to Atlanta.
Who is hurt for Dallas heading into the opener?
Tarik Biberovic, Dereck Lively II, Jett Howard and Santi Aldama are all working toward an October 21 return, and none is cleared yet.
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