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Dallas Mavericks: five home games you don’t want to miss

By Jason Lippert

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the third quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the third quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks released their 2018-19 schedule last week, and there is no shortage of interesting matchups to keep an eye on.

Only five games will be nationally televised – two by ESPN and three by TNT. This means that the vast majority of Mavs games will only be aired on Fox Sports Southwest.

Listening to Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade is always a plus. However, you can never beat watching a game in person. Here are the five Dallas Mavericks home games you should mark on your calendar for the 2018-2019 regular season:

Saturday, October 20 vs Minnesota

The Dallas Mavericks home opener vs the Minnesota Timberwolves will give Dallas fans the

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first look at rookie sensation Luka Doncic. The 6-foot-7 Slovenian star has already won the hearts of Mavericks fans everywhere. People finally get to see him ball out in a No. 77 jersey.

Minnesota defeated Denver in the last game of the regular season to secure the 8 seed in the West and a playoff berth. The same core of Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins is still intact.

The Timberwolves have won five in a row against the Dallas Mavericks, including all four matchups last season. This is a great opportunity for the Mavs to not only play a postseason-caliber team but also show off Doncic for the first time at home.

Saturday, November 17 vs Golden State

The two-time defending champs visit the Dallas Mavericks twice. The first chance to see Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and co. in action comes midway through November. Golden State is currently riding a 10-game win streak over the Mavericks, so this is the first of four chances to halt that run.

It is always fun when the reigning champions come to town, and this is no exception. The Warriors seem at times like a 2k cheat code, given their stacked roster. They only got better this offseason. DeMarcus Cousins – viewed by many as the best center in the NBA – signed a one-year deal with Golden State, worth $5.3 million.

A Saturday night in November is about as good a time as any to see the Dallas Mavericks try to take down the superteam of all superteams.

Wednesday, December 12 vs Atlanta

On draft night, Mark Cuban traded the fifth overall pick and a future first-round pick to the Hawks to move up two spots. They snagged Luka Doncic, while Atlanta took Oklahoma superstar Trae Young.

Young, who was hyped up by ESPN almost to the point of overkill, could end up being Luka’s natural rookie class rival for years to come. This is the first chance for the Dallas Mavericks fans to see those two battle it out in Dallas.

There is a debate to be had about who won the draft trade, as each team got what they were searching for.

Looking beyond the Doncic vs Young headlines, this is a good opportunity for Dallas to test themselves against a team that is in the same rebuilding boat. The Hawks and Mavs both have a lot of young talent. Dallas has lost nine straight vs Atlanta, so it will be the second of two chances to end that streak.

Monday, January 7 vs Los Angeles Lakers

The storyline of the 2018 offseason was LeBron James‘ free agency decision. For the third time in his career, LeBron found himself on the open market. And boy did he make a splash. The King signed a massive four-year deal with the Lakers, and all signs point towards this being solely a decision that makes him happy.

James has done everything he needs to do in his playing career, and now he gets to suit up for the most iconic NBA team and mentor several young players with sky-high potential.

Los Angeles comes to Dallas with all eyes on them, and this will be a great opportunity for Mavs fans to see LeBron in a new uniform.

Dallas had won 14 straight regular season games against the Lakers leading up to last season. The script has since flipped, with L.A. taking three of four matchups in 2017-18. This is Dallas’ only home game vs the Lakers, which means ticket prices will be at an all-time high.

Tuesday, April 9 vs Phoenix

The last home game of the regular season comes against the Phoenix Suns. Every Mavs fan needs to circle this day in their calendar, as it very well could be Dirk’s last game in Dallas.

Going into his 21st season with the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki is a living legend. He has given everything to the city of Dallas. April 9 might be the last time this city gets to see him in a no. 41 jersey. That alone is awful to think about, but the day is going to come sooner or later.

Tickets will go fast, so Mavs fans might want to jump on this game as quickly as possible. This might be the game where the torch is officially passed to Doncic, Dennis Smith Jr, Harrison Barnes and others.

Next. Dallas Cowboys: 2018 Fantasy Football Outlook. dark

If indeed this is Dirk’s final rodeo, you don’t want to miss out.

  • Published on 08/18/2018 at 16:51 PM
  • Last updated at 08/22/2018 at 09:46 AM
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