SPURS (1-3) AT MAVS (2-1)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: BSSW
Radio: The Eagle, 97.1 FM; Univision 99.1 FM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: This is the second of a stretch where the Mavs are playing four games in six games. This also is the opener of a back-to-back – the Mavs play in Denver on Friday. . .Behind 26 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists from Luka Doncic, the Mavs won their home opener on Tuesday against the Huston Rockets, 116-106. Also for the Mavs, Tim Hardaway Jr. poured in 16 points, and Reggie Bullock (16 points), Boban Marjanovic (11 points) and Jalen Brunson (11 points, a career-high 11 assists) came off the bench to contribute mightily. . .Kristaps Porzingis (lower back tightness) and Sterling Brown (left ankle sprain) are questionable for tonight’s contest. Porzingis left the game against the Rockets after playing just 19 minutes and finished with nine points and three rebounds. Even if he doesn’t play tonight, Porzingis normally sits out one end of a back-to-back. Coach Jason Kidd said: “This will be our first back-to-back. Hopefully (this) afternoon we’ll have a plan. But first we want to just see how he feels, and hopefully he can go (tonight).”. .Doncic is averaging 28.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 9.1 apg in his 10 career games against the Spurs. . .Among the Mavs’ first 12 games this season, three of them are against the Spurs. So those two squads will get very acquainted with each other very early this season. The Mavs will play in San Antonio on Wednesday and again on Nov. 12. . .The Mavs are 73-114 all-time against the Spurs, including a 44-50 record at home. Last year the Mavs won the season series against the San Antonio, 2-1.
About the Spurs: For the Spurs, this is the opener of a three-game road trip. On this trip they will also battle the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday and the Pacers in Indiana on Monday before playing host to the Mavs on Wednesday. . .The Spurs enter tonight’s game following a disappointing 125-121 loss in overtime at home this past Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were playing without the injured LeBron James. . .Against the Lakers, Dejounte Murray posted his fifth career triple-double as he finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 15 assists. . .Although they are two games under .500, the Spurs have put together a very balanced attack thus far this season. Keldon Johnson is leading the way with 18.3 ppg, Jakob Poeltl is averaging 16 ppg and 10.8 rpg, Murray is scoring at a 15.3 ppg clip, and Lonnie Walker IV averages 15.3 ppg. Also for San Antonio, Derrick White is pouring in 13.3 ppg, Devin Vassell is averaging 12 ppg and shooting 45 percent from behind the 3-point line, and former Mavs forward Doug McDermott averages 11.5 ppg and is shooting 50 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from the 3-point stripe. Last year McDermott was one of 10 NBA players to convert more than 100 shots from the 3-point arc while also shooting over 50 percent from downtown. . .The Spurs’ franchise originated in Dallas and were called the Chaparrals before moving to San Antonio in 1973 and changing their name to the Spurs. In fact, the Mavs’ first-ever game was against the Spurs on Oct. 11, 1980, and owner Don Carter’s squad walked away with a 103-92 victory.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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