Dallas Mavericks: Players shined in their Texas Legends debuts

The Dallas Mavericks G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends opened their season against the Austin Spurs on Nov. 3. Here’s an update on how the Mavs’ players on the Legends’ roster performed.

The Dallas Mavericks other team is starting their 2018-2019 season.  Their G-League affiliate the Texas Legends traveled south on I-35 and defeated the defending champion Austin Spurs 126-120 on Saturday evening.

It’s a positive start to the season for the Legends who, in their third year under head coach Bob MacKinnon, look to build on their success from last year, when they won a franchise-record 29 games. Three current Mavericks contributed to the season-opening win. Here’s how they each fared.

Daryl Macon

Currently, on a two-way contract with the Mavericks, Daryl Macon scored at will all night, pouring in 35 points. The former University of Arkansas guard hit four of six 3-pointers and dished out three assists. Macon also hit seven of eight from the charity stripe.

A career 40 percent 3-point shooter in college, Macon will definitely have an impact on the Mavericks this season if he continues his hot shooting. None of the Dallas guards are currently shooting above 35 percent from behind the arc, and if they continue to struggle, Macon will get a chance to contribute sooner rather than later.

Ray Spalding

Ray Spalding is on the Mavericks’ 15 man roster but was on assignment with the Legends to get some playing time. He made the most of the opportunity. Spalding scored 18 points and grabbed six boards, and even hit a 3-pointer.

Right now the Mavericks are playing small and the frontcourt is a little crowded, limiting Spalding’s playing time. These assignments with the Legends will help keep his development on track while he waits for a chance to break into the Mavs’ rotation.

Kostas Antetokounmpo

The Mavericks’ other two-way player Kostas Antetokounmpo scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds in 24 minutes. Antetokounmpo probably could have scored more, but ran into foul trouble, picking up his fifth foul midway through the third quarter.

Expect to see more scoring from the big man in the future. Like Macon and Spalding, Antetokounmpo will get a chance to contribute this season for the Mavericks.

Check back here at The Smoking Cuban for more updates on the Texas Legends as the season progresses. We’ll be covering both Mavericks’ two-way players and any Mavs’ call-ups or players on assignment.