Dallas Mavericks: Previewing the Home Opener Against the Rockets

After seeing Houston at home just last week, the Dallas Mavericks welcome them back for the home opener.

A heartbreaking loss in overtime opened the season in Indy Wednesday night, dropping Dallas to 0-1 on the season. The Mavs will return to Dallas for their home opener against their in-state rival, the Houston Rockets.

The season opener showed some promising signs for Mavs fans. Harrison Barnes looked solid in his Mavs debut, notching 19 points and nine rebounds including a game-tying three ball in the final seconds of regulation. Playing 10 of their first 15 games on the road, the Mavs will need a win against Houston to avoid getting off to a poor 0-2 start to the year.

The Rockets lost a shootout to the Lakers in their opener Wednesday night, showing incredible ability to score, but complete ineptitude defensively. The Mavs are a fairly similar team to Houston, boasting three terrific defenders in their starting lineup, but a weak scoring repertoire.

The Mavs will be forced to cover the explosive offensive group of James Harden, Ryan Anderson, and Eric Gordon Friday night. Rick Carlisle showed an interest in going small against Indiana Wednesday night, using Andrew Bogut sparingly throughout the game, and using Dwight Powell in overtime. Mike D’Antoni’s Rockets are a similar group.

The Rockets will use Trevor Ariza at the power forward position more than Clint Capela or anyone else on the roster, and will likely shift Ryan Anderson to the small forward position, with Eric Gordon at the off-guard spot.

Rick Carlisle will have to counter the smaller lineups of Houston with combinations using J.J. Barea, Seth Curry, and Justin Anderson. While the Mavs possess athleticism, particularly on their bench, the Mavs don’t have end-to-end speed that plagued them against the Pacers.

Paul George, Monta Ellis, and Jeff Teague were able to get up and down the court at will against the slower Mavs guards and forwards, which may force the Mavs to slow down the pace heading into their in-state clash with Houston.