Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks face Anthony Davis, Pelicans

After rocking the Utah Jazz in their home opener, the Dallas Mavericks (1-1) will travel and face the New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) at 6 PM CT.

Both the Mavs and Pelicans are coming off of wins. The Mavs blew out the Jazz 120-102 behind the 21 points of Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. Behind Anthony Davis, the Pelicans took down the Orlando Magic 101-84.

Future Of The NBA

Anthony Davis is quickly climbing the ranks of the NBA’s best. In his third season now, it seems he’s ready to take that next step up. In their home opener against the Magic, Davis nearly recorded a triple-double; he’d finish with 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 blocks. Oh, he also pitched in three steals.

Tyson Chandler will probably have the first crack at the league’s brightest star. Chandler has had the responsibility of guarding Tim Duncan and Derrick favors early on, but Davis will offer a different challenge.

Davis, 21, will most likely play big nights; he played 36 minutes in the blowout win. Chandler will have to avoid foul trouble. Brandan Wright, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Greg Smith could all see time on Davis.

Same Face New Place

Speaking of Aminu…he’s coming back to where he’s spent the last three seasons with New Orleans. It was his time with the Pelicans and him destroying the Mavs that probably resulted in Dallas’s interest in the defensive forward.

Aminu played just five minutes against the Spurs, but was able to bounce back against the Jazz. He noticed a double-double in the win, tallying 16 points and 10 rebounds off of the bench.

Frontcourt

We already know what Davis will bring to the Pelicans, but he isn’t the only concern. Big offseason addition Omer Asik is a BIG addition. Asik, with Davis, gives the Pelicans’ frontcourt LOTS of size. Asik put up 14 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the win against the Magic. Mix in Davis’s near triple-double, the Mavs will have to work down low.

Ryan Anderson returns this season after playing in only 22 games last season due to a neck injury. He’ll come off the Pelicans’ bench and look to spread the court and shoot. He scored 22 points on 9-22 shooting and grabbed 9 rebounds against the Magic.

Davis will most likely have the duty of guarding Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki torched Davis and the Pelicans for 40 last season.

Wing Scoring

We’ve got a preview of what Chandler Parsons, Monta Ellis, Jameer Nelson, and Devin Harris will do this season for the Mavs.

The Pelicans? Not so sure. Last season Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Eric Gordon all missed time last season. The trio is now starting together and it’s to be seen who the three will mesh.

Evans nearly notched a double-double in their win. He recorded 12 points and 9 assists against the Magic. Gordon and Holiday etched put up 8 points.

The Mavs perimeter defense must be ready for any of these three to have big nights.

Final Thoughts

The Pelicans are seen as a dark house in the Western Conference. The Mavs starting unit will be tested. But it’s the Mavs’ bench that may determine the outcome. Outside of Anderson, the Pelicans bench isn’t filled with many threats. Harris, Aminu, and Brandan Wright will need to lead the second unit charge.