SAN FRANCISCO – Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic and Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry are very similar in their approach to the game.

So said the respective players’ head coach.

“I watched Luka (Thursday) night against San Antonio in his first game back (from a right ankle sprain) and he’s out there smiling and laughing, and that is similar to Steph,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I think fans love that and they want to see the players enjoying themselves.”

And Doncic and Curry certainly seem to enjoy making life miserable for opposing teams.

“Both guys play with a lot of personality, along with a lot of game, a lot of skill and certainly a great degree of flair,” Rick Carlisle said. “One of the real things you see in players like Steph Curry and Luka Doncic and LeBron James and guys like that is that they have a real love for the game.

“They would be playing it even if they weren’t professionals getting paid. You can just tell by the way they approach it.”

Before Saturday’s Mavs-Warriors game at Chase Center, Kerr reflected on the 35 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists Doncic hit Golden State with in just 26 minutes when the Mavs drilled the Warriors, 142-94, in Dallas on Nov. 20.

“He’s an amazing player,” Kerr said. “He crushed us in Dallas last month.

“He’s got a great skillset and approach to the game, he’s great for the league and we are lucky to have him in the league.”

Mavs first game in Chase Center: Saturday was the Mavs’ first game in the $1.2 billion Chase Center, which is the new home of the Warriors.

The arena, located in San Francisco, is equipped with many amenities, including a barber shop, sleep pods, a full kitchen and chef for the home team. Off to the side of the Warriors’ locker room is a practice court with two full courts. It’s the only NBA arena with two full practice courts inside the arena where the team plays.

In the visitor’s locker room area, there’s a private room for the head coach, one for the assistant coaches, one for the female assistant coach, and one for the visiting owner.

“Well, from what I’ve seen of it just walking in here and then out there (on the court) it’s great,” Carlisle said. “The locker room area is second to none.

“They obviously do things in a big way here and it shows.”

The arena is 100 percent privately financed.

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