4 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' blowout win over Bucks in preseason finale

The Dallas Mavericks wrapped up their slate of four preseason games on Thursday night as they battled the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Center ahead of their home opener next Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

Luka Doncic missed Thursday night's game against the Bucks due to the calf contusion that has caused him to miss the entire preseason, but Jason Kidd doesn't seem to be concerned when it comes to Doncic's availability for the season opener.

Milwaukee sat Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in this game, but there was plenty to watch if you're a Mavs fan. Dallas ended up winning this game 109-84, and the first half was filled with excitement.

4 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' win over Bucks in preseason finale

Both Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving played in this game for Dallas, and the two-way and Exhibit 10 guys fought hard for the opportunity to get a deal ahead of the new season. Before the game, Kidd confirmed that Dallas' 15-man roster is locked up, but he didn't turn down making changes when it comes to the two-way spots.

There was plenty to like from the preseason finale, and now it's on to the regular season.

6. Stud - Daniel Gafford

Jason Kidd announced that Daniel Gafford would start at center during his pregame press conference, and he put on a show in his minutes. Gafford finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocks, and his relentless effort on both ends set him apart.

Gafford finished well around the rim, and he was seemingly always drawing contact when fighting down low and getting to the free throw line.

The extra 20 pounds of muscle that he put on this summer has helped make him even more of a wrecking ball in the paint. This gives the Mavs tons of versatility when deciding how they want to defend different bigs, and they're well-equipped for the long regular season.

Gafford's energy is always on full display, and he and Dereck Lively II are truly one of the best big-men tandems in the NBA.

5. Dud - Spencer Dinwiddie

From early on in the preseason, Spencer Dinwiddie has not looked like the player who helped lead the Mavs to the Western Conference Finals in 2022. Dinwiddie wasn't great after he left the Mavs during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, and his struggles from those spots continued into the preseason with Dallas.

The Mavs need him to be a trusted ball handler considering that Dante Exum is out for the next three months after undergoing wrist surgery, but that has been one area that Dinwiddie has struggled with thus far. There is no assertiveness or sense of direction when he is handling the rock, and his finishing around the rim has been way down.

Against Milwaukee, Dinwiddie finished with eight points while shooting 3-8 from the field, and it seems clear that Jaden Hardy deserves the backup point guard spot over him. Both players' contracts expire after this season, and regardless of who is playing better right now, they'll both be forced to step up during Exum's absence.

One part of Dinwiddie's game that should be just fine though is his 3-point shooting off the catch. That was one of his strengths during his time in Los Angeles, and he should be able to keep that up during the regular season.

Dinwiddie ultimately got some shots to fall in the second half, but his play has been way behind what fans expected after the signing.

Dallas' hope of Dinwiddie being a reliable spot starter when needed isn't looking reliable right now, but he should see his play improve once Luka Doncic returns to the lineup.

4. Stud - Dereck Lively II

After four preseason games, Dereck Lively II is looking like a star in the making for the Mavs. He improved nearly every part of his game over the summer, but the part of his game that shined the most against the Bucks was the thing that he worked hardest at this summer.

Becoming a better scorer in the paint.

Lively II is always asked about when he is going to start shooting threes in games, but he wants to become better down low before stretching his game beyond the 3-point line. The jumper is there, but Lively II wants to be a force down low first.

That's exactly what he was on Thursday night as he finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, and his touch in the paint was on full display. Lively II sunk multiple hook shots and floaters, and Jason Kidd said this is something we could see more of after the game.

Lively II's presence down low is some of the best rim protection that Mavs fans have ever seen, and he is playing like the true starting center moving forward.

Lively II's ability to score with his back to the basket could give Dallas' offense an entirely new dimension, and this will allow him to take the next step in his offensive game. Last season, most of his points came off lobs from Luka Doncic.

It looks like it'll be a different story this season though.

3. Dud - Luka Doncic's injury

Although Luka Doncic's calf contusion doesn't seem too serious and there doesn't seem to be any concern that he misses opening night against San Antonio, it's still a shame that he wasn't able to play at all during the preseason. Doncic only went through one full practice (on Wednesday) since suffering the injury, and him not getting to build some chemistry with his new teammates is not ideal heading into the new season.

This isn't suggesting that Doncic should have played, as him getting re-injured would set everything back even more, but him not playing impacts more than just him. Doncic is the heart and soul of this team, and it's been hard to analyze how the new additions will fit on this team without seeing them play next to Doncic.

Doncic is going to be just fine, and this injury is nothing serious, but him being out for these last two weeks definitely sets everything back when it comes to getting into the swing of things.

Doncic's presence is only going to help elevate everyone's game around him, and Klay Thompson could be the biggest beneficiary of that. Thompson's success is going to highly benefit from the looks that Doncic creates, and there is tons of excitement surrounding their potential on-court fit.

Doncic should be ready to go by the time next Thursday rolls around, but it may take some time for everyone to gain some chemistry with him and gain comfort at the start of the regular season.

2. Stud - Kyrie Irving

After resting Dallas' last preseason game against the LA Clippers, Kyrie Irving suited up for Dallas in their preseason finale against the Bucks. Irving's status for this game was a bit interesting, as Jason Kidd said he would play in his pregame press conference, but Mavs PR later said that he wouldn't play due to rest. Then, about 20 minutes later, the Mavs announced that Irving would indeed play.

Irving started for Dallas in this game, and he began the game with a backdoor cut for an easy layup and later drilled his first two 3-pointers of the season. His 3-point shooting was outstanding last season with the Mavs, and it looks like he is picking up right where he left off.

He was hitting tough shots inside and outside the arc, and ultimately ended up finishing with 14 points on an efficient 6-7 shooting from the field. Irving was seemingly the only one with any sense of rhythm early on in this game, and he continues to lead by example.

Irving was a big part in getting Klay Thompson to Dallas, and the two already look fairly comfortable playing together. He was looking to get Thompson involved in any way he could, and they even ran a couple of actions together.

Irving became the ultimate duo partner for Luka Doncic last season due to their growing chemistry on and off the floor, but fans will be forced to wait until October 24 to see them play together (if Doncic plays in the debut).

It'll be exciting to see them team up once again to begin this season, and they should be even better than they were to close last season.

1. Stud - Klay Thompson

The Klay Thompson experience has begun in Dallas, and Thursday night's game was his best showing yet. After missing his first couple of shots and forcing some shots, Thompson got rolling in the second quarter.

Thompson finished with 11 points on 3-7 shooting from downtown in the first half, and he got his confidence going after hitting back-to-back shots. The first shot was a wide-open three off the catch and the second one was a mid-range jumper after his pump fake made the defender fly by him.

Thompson has typically started these games rough, but once he sees one go in, he is lethal. His confidence went way up after seeing a couple of jumpers fall, but his play outside of his shooting was solid as well.

Thompson continues to work hard on defense, and he is sliding his feet on that end better than expected. He isn't going to be someone who will be used as a primary defender on ball handlers, but he can hold his own on slower guards and wings.

Thompson's passing has also been great to start the season, and he is growing chemistry when playing with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Playing with those two bigs is one of the reasons he signed with the Mavs, and Dallas can use him as a ball handler or screener in different actions.

He has been a willing passer in transition as well, and he typically makes the right read when getting downhill. His playmaking has been one of the more underrated parts about his game since joining the Mavs, and this should help unlock plenty of different ways that the Mavs can use him.