Dallas Mavericks (4-1) at Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)
Certain games are statement games.
Certain games are measuring sticks.
Though it is just the sixth preseason game, the Dallas Mavericks’ matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers is the ladder. Facing a lineup that figures to contend for an NBA title, the Mavs are looking at Tuesday night’s Cavs game as a precursor to the regular season opener on Oct. 27.
“It’s preseason, but then again it’s a team that you could see in the Finals,” Mavs sixth man Jason Terry said about the Cleveland game. “So you definitely want to go out and play your hardest, trying to tune up and get ready for that 27th. That’s the big day.”
Despite defeating the Cavaliers 93-82 Saturday night at home on the American Airlines Center floor, the Mavericks know they didn’t face a truly formidable opponent with Cleveland superstars LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal out of the lineup.
Now the Mavs are gearing up to see both James and O’Neal, while also using their second to last preseason game as an opportunity to play key rotation players major minutes with the regular season just a week away.
The Mavs have won four straight in the preseason, but with just one preseason game remaining after Tuesday night, the team has begun to make the transition from the exhibition season to games that will count in the standings.
“Playing against Cleveland tonight gives us the opportunity to compete against a top team and get better,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after the team’s morning shootaround.
The Mavs meet the Cavs at the Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The game will air on HD NET at 6:30 p.m. CT. Dallas finishes the preseason on the road on Oct. 23 against the Southwest Division rival Houston Rockets, with the game airing on KTXA 21 and KTXA 21 HD at 7:30 p.m.
Dallas tips-off the regular season at home against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 27, and tickets remain available. For ticket information call (214) 747-MAVS.
Dallas has also introduced the “MavsU” program, designed to offer college and university students an opportunity to attend Mavs games at a discounted rate. The Mavericks and Genghis Grill have teamed to offer discounted tickets to students for many upcoming games.
To purchase any MavsU ticket and receive a coupon for a free bowl at Genghis simply call 214-747-MAVS or visit Mavs.com.
Follow Mavs.com’s Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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