Game Night: Mavs Look To Get Back On Track vs. Rockets

 

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After dropping the NBA regular season opener to the Indiana Pacers, the Mavericks will look to turn things around the home opener against the Southwest Division rival Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center.

 

“I like the rally. I don’t like going down 14,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said following Wednesday’s loss. “We spread the floor and got some penetration in, and it opened up some things. We were struggling through most of the game, and we had some good stretches late in the first half and parts of the second. I like the way we fought and hung in, but the defense has obviously got to be better. Giving up 130 points is no way to do business, and it was a high-turnover game for two low-turnover teams.”

 

Deron Williams led the way for the Mavs scoring 25 points while adding 7 dimes in the Mavs season opener on Wednesday night. It a positive debut for the Mavs prized free agent acquisition Harrison Barnes, who finished the game with 19 points, going 8-of-14 (57 percent) from the field after shooting just 27 percent during the preseason.

 

The Mavs will look to bounce back tonight with a win at home. They’ll look to make a few adjustments heading into tonight’s game, including an improved shooting performance particularly for shooting guard Wes Matthews who just 20 percent from beyond the arc. Dallas will also look to be more solid down low, after giving up 56 points in the paint in Wednesday’s game against Indiana.

 

Match Up History:

The Rockets hold a slight edge 86-81 all-time in the series. Just a season ago the Mavs went 2-2 in the regular season against Houston. The Mavs will look to start the season series this year with a win for the first time since 2013.

 

Match Up to Watch: Deron Williams takes on James Harden.

 

Deron Williams had an efficient game in his season debut with 25 points and 7 assists, while James Harden had 34 points and 17 assists in his season debut versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Look for both of these players to give you a good game and help carry the scoring load for each ball club tonight.

 

 

 

Quoteboard:

Rick Carlisle on Harrison Barnes (19 points, 8-14 FG, 9 rebounds in Dallas debut): “He’s a champion. He’s a big-time player. I knew he was going to play well, and he did. And I’m not surprised.” – via Tim MacMahon, ESPN Staff Writer

 

“We never could hit that big shot to take the lead. But if we fight like that every night, it’s gonna be a great season for us.” –J.J. Barea (Quote via Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com)

 

 

Injury Report:

Devin Harris (foot) is out.

 

 

How to Watch:

7:30 p.m. CST on Fox Sports Southwest