Even though this has been the shortest off-season in NBA history, anticipation for the Mavs upcoming season couldn't be much higher. That's what having a young and up and coming team led by a 21-year-old MVP favorite will do for you. Because of COVID the NBA has only released the first half of the season's schedule so far, but let's take a look at what awaits the Mavericks in these first 37 games and make some predictions while we're at it.
December
Games: 4 (1 home, 3 away)
Games of note: at Phoenix (23rd), at LA Lakers (25th), at LA Clippers (27th)
The good news is the Mavericks open the season with 3 nationally TV games including a Christmas night showdown against the champs. The bad news is the quality of the opposition. The Mavs will be challenged especially without Kristaps Porzingis but you don't have to go back that far to the playoffs to know they can compete against some of the league's elite even without their second best player. Thus is the power of Luka.
Predicted record: 2-2
January
Games: 17 (7 home, 10 away)
Games of note: vs. Miami (1st), at Milwaukee (15th), vs. Denver (25th)
The road heavy start of the season continues in January. Thankfully KP should be back sometime during the month. The trip to Milwaukee will be much anticipated even though the Giannis to Dallas pipedream is now dead. Weirdly the month ends with two straight games in Utah followed by the first of two straight home games against the Suns.
Predicted record: 11-6
February
Games: 14 (10 home, 4 road)
Games of note: vs. Golden State (6th), at Houston (19th), at Brooklyn (27th)
Here comes the home heavy part of the schedule and boy is it heavy. A 7 game homestand will keep the Mavs at the AAC for 2 weeks. It starts with two straight against the Warriors including a Saturday night ABC primetime game on the back end. The month ends with challenging road games in Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The Nets game is another ABC primetime affair.
Predicted Record: 9-5
March
Games: 2 (1 home, 1 road)
Games of note: at Orlando, vs. Oklahoma City
The month begins with the final game of a East coast road trip in Orlando. The Mavs will then finish off the first half of the schedule with their first game of the year against the rebuilding Thunder. Then comes the "All-Star break" which does not feature an actual All-Star Game this year.
Predicted Record: 2-0
Predicted First Half Record: 24-13
At some point we'll find out the second half of the Mavericks schedule but we do know what teams they'll be playing including two games each at home against the Lakers and Clippers. Also still to come are the Bucks and Nets only trips to the AAC. The Mavs will face Cavs, Knicks, Kings and Wizards for the first time in the second half of the season.
Predicted Second Half Record: 23-12
Predicted Overall Record: 47-25 (4th in the West, Southwest Division Champs)
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