Preseason Opener Preview: Mavericks Will Be Without Dirk Against Rockets

HOUSTON ROCKETS @ DALLAS MAVERICKS- Oct. 7 at American Airlines Center (8:30 p.m. ET)

Yes, it’s only a preseason game, but there’s a lot riding on the Mavericks preseason opener against the Rockets on Oct. 7.

The game will start at 7:30 local time and televised on KTXA.

It showcases the new-look Mavs against an opposition. This after the team’s Fan Jam and scrimmage on Oct. 4 that ended its week-long training camp.

A lot of good things went on during the scrimmage as the Mavs have the most depth they’ve had in a long time.

Of course by now, you should know that Chandler Parsons is one of the new members on Dallas and that he spent the first three years of his NBA career with the Houston Rockets.

A year after playing with James Harden and Dwight Howard, the Mavericks won the right to obtain Parsons during free agency. With Houston electing not to bring him back, it induced a long summer of trash talking between Mark Cuban and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.

The Rockets brought Trevor Ariza in to replace Parsons while also resigning beloved Maverick, Jason “Jet” Terry.

So while there were plenty of fireworks between both teams in the offseason, the two will duke it out at the AAC to begin preseason play for both. Granted starters will play the first half, at most, the Dallas-Houston rivalry is starting to appear stronger than ever.

DIRK OUT 

Dirk hobbled off during the second period of the Mavs scrimmage and was informed that he had a right hip contusion that will force him out against the Rockets. Rick Carlisle did say that he believes the injury isn’t serious. Let’s expect Dirk to come back for the Mavericks’ second game on Oct. 10 against the Thunder at home. If not, his next opportunity would be at home again on Oct. 12 vs the Pacers. Other injury notes include Greg Smith and Charlie Villanueva. Smith lost a part of his tooth during the scrimmage, but laughed off the injury afterward while Villanueva left practice on Oct. 6 after being hit in the lip. Both are expected to play against the Rockets without any setbacks whatsoever.

I-45 RIVALRY 

Morey and Cuban have been throwing punches during the offseason, that’s even gone back to Howard blowing by Dallas for Houston last year.

Morey has said, “If the money is equal, free agents will always pick Houston over Dallas.”

Cuban has said that snagging Parsons was satisfying after Howard chose to sign with Houston, adding, “all good business is personal.”

“But let’s be clear: If the money’s equal between the Rockets and Mavericks, I think players are picking Houston. Every time. For Dwight, I just don’t think it was a hard choice between us and Dallas. If you want to win, you’re going to want to join our organization. We have a first-team All-NBA player in his prime [Harden]. They have an enormously talented superstar in Dirk, but he obviously isn’t 24 years old.” — Morey

“The choice was pretty obvious between the two teams. Dwight is the smart guy in this.” — Morey added

“Our teams have had great chemistry, and it’s something we believe in. Hey, if Mark believed so much in chemistry, he wouldn’t have busted up a title team for cap room. He’s trying to reunite a lot of those people now, bringing back Chandler from that title team. Maybe he’s got some chemistry religion recently.” — Morey

“The only reason I’m even responding is because I respect and like Daryl, who’s smart. He’s got some Donald Trump in him where he doesn’t really understand media all that well, but he’s a smart guy and one of the smartest general managers in the league. So we can have some fun going back and forth.” — Cuban backfired

“I’m not sure how he would know that,” Cuban said on Morey saying that “players go to Houston to win titles.”

Cuban added Morey “kind of got it started” with the trade inquiry about Nowitzki in the summer of 2013 and again with his comments about developing players when Parsons signed with Dallas.

“If you throw the punches — I just don’t think he realized he threw them, so I had some fun responding. There’s no personal animosity whatsoever, but we’re competitive. Like I said, he’s smart and it’s fun to pick on him.” — Cuban

On Mavs Media Day, Cuban was asked if he’s a bully, to which is jokingly responded, “I am a bully (laughs).”

*Don’t expect this to go away during the entire season. This should be fun.

TEAM LINEUPS

Both squads did some shopping during free agency. The Mavericks did more while the Rockets got rid of Omer Asik (Pelicans) and Jeremy Lin (Lakers), and brought in Terry, Ariza and Ish Smith to name a few.

Mavericks

Rockets

*ESPN Rosters*

PROJECTED STARTERS

With Dirk out, the Mavericks have a wide selection at the four. Brandan Wright, Charlie Villanueva, Greg Smith and Al-Farouq Aminu could all start alongside Parsons and Tyson Chandler, but I think Carlisle will go with Wright and see how he and Chandler co-exist on the court. That being said, the eyes of the point guards should widen and have an absolute alley-oop party.

Mavericks

PG- Jameer Nelson

SG- Monta Ellis

SF- Chandler Parsons

PF- Brandan Wright

C- Tyson Chandler

Rockets

PG- Patrick Beverley

SG- James Harden

SF- Trevor Ariza

PF- Terrence Jones

C- Dwight Howard

KEY MATCHUP

Dwight Howard vs Tyson Chandler

Last season Howard averaged 24 points, 11.8 boards, and shot 61.5% against the Mavs last season, who had Samuel Dalembert manning the paint. Despite this being a preseason game, Chandler will be able to show what he offers to the Mavs. A strong showing from Chandler could go a long way for the Mavs as they look to build a respectable defense.