(Mavs.com)
We are healthy again! Well, not really, but it has been reported that Dirk Nowitzki will make his 2015-2016 preseason debut tonight when the Dallas Mavericks take on the Atlanta Hawks. The Mavericks are still looking for their first victory of the preseason, after dropping their first three. While it will be nice to see another one of the Mavericks’ starters take the floor tonight, it should figure to be a tall task for the winless Mavericks, as they take on a deep and talented Hawks squad.
They’re very skilled. They’ve got big guys that are very smart and can make a lot of point-guard type of basketball plays. And they’re extremely challenging to guard.” – Rick Carlisle
The Mavericks haven’t had an easy go of it with the preseason schedule up to this point. They took on a pretty full roster with the Denver Nuggets, and had to face James Harden and the Rockets, as well as Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tonight will be no different as the Hawks will feature Al Horford and Paul Milsap.
The Mavericks will once again be without the services of some of their others starters in Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons, and Wesley Matthews. Their main standout this preseason, John Jenkins, will take on his former squad who drafted him back in 2012. He is averaging 20.3 ppg on 48% shooting from the field in just over 29 minutes a game. While some viewed him as a player fighting for a final roster spot, it’s clear that Rick Carlisle likes what he sees and could be expecting some major contributions from the guard, especially early on in the season.
“He’s been better with the ball than expected. He’s doing a good job on pick-and-rolls, he’s doing a good job on transition situations.” – Rick Carlisle
The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT, but it will not be televised.
Injury Report
Deron Williams (left calf strain) — Out
Chandler Parsons (right knee surgery) — Out
Wesley Matthews (left Achilles surgery) — Out
JaVale McGee (left tibial stress fracture) — Out
Raymond Felton (left hamstring strain) — Out
Dwight Powell (left elbow sprain) — Out
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