Mavericks schedule release: Important dates, crucial contests, takeaways

Dallas Mavericks schedule release: Important dates

Season opener- Dec. 23 at Phoenix Suns- 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN

The regular season is almost here. The Mavericks open in Phoenix in Chris Paul’s Suns debut. It will mark the second time in three years that the two teams squared off in the opener. The Mavs are hoping for a better result as the Suns won by 21 in Luka Doncic’s NBA debut back in 2018.

Christmas Day game- Dec. 25 at Los Angeles Lakers- 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN

Fans knew about this game before the schedule was officially released. It was still awesome to see the Mavs getting the primetime showdown on arguably the NBA’s biggest day of the calendar year. Read more about the Christmas Day matchup here.

Home opener- Dec. 30 vs. Charlotte Hornets- 7:30 p.m. CT

The Mavs are on the road for three straight before facing the new-look Hornets in their home opener. It will be the only time Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball visit the American Airlines Center this season. The Mavericks should be favored in this one, but expect Charlotte to push for the playoffs in 2021.

New Year’s Day game- vs. Miami Heat- 6:00 p.m. CT

The Mavericks face the defending Eastern Conference champions on New Year’s Day. Dallas was swept by the Heat last season including the Dec. 14 game where Luka Doncic injured his ankle for the first time. The Mavs will be looking for a better result on the holiday.

MLK Day game- Jan. 18 at Toronto Raptors- 6:30 p.m. CT

The Mavericks will also play on Martin Luther King Jr. Day against the Raptors. No word yet if this game will take place in Canada or Tampa. Either way, Dallas should be favored, especially if Kristaps Porzingis has returned to the floor by this point.

Next: Crucial contests