Dallas Mavericks (4-2) at Houston Rockets (4-3)
After a grueling Training Camp and six preseason games, the exhibition season comes to an end Friday night in Houston for the Dallas Mavericks.
Fittingly, the preseason concludes against the Houston Rockets, a Southwest Division foe and a team that the Mavericks will meet four times in the regular season.
(Glenn James/ NBAE via Getty Images)
Mavs end preseason play against the Rockets, before four games in the regular season
To the Mavs’ benefit, Dallas will have an opportunity to scout Houston up-close and personal, as the Rockets figure to play a different brand of basketball this season with center Yao Ming possibly missing the entire 2009-10 season with a foot injury. The Rockets’ up-tempo team should feature the return of Tracy McGrady and newcomer Trevor Ariza, who signed as a free agent with Houston this summer after winning an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“They’re going to play a little faster without (Yao Ming) and yet they’re still going to be a very persistent defensive team,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. “If you look at their scores, they’ve had some very high-scoring games, so the three-point shot is going to be key. It‘s never going to be a picnic playing those guys.”
Dallas will also be inducting a newcomer into the lineup, as high-flyer Shawn Marion is expected to return to game action after missing 10 days with a mild strain to the right calf.
“There looks like it’s a pretty good chance he could play. So that will be good,” Carlisle said.
“Once I get loose, I think everything will be a lot easier and free-flowing,” Marion said about coming back from the nagging injury. “The adrenaline of the game will probably help loosen everything up, but other than that, I’m alright.”
With Marion coming back into the fold, and swingman Josh Howard targeting a possible return by the season opener from rehabbing after ankle surgery, the final preseason game is the last time the Mavs will have an opportunity to iron out their preseason wrinkles before the games count in the standings.
“We just need to get the little kinks out and get everything going so we can be ready for Tuesday,” Marion said in preparation for Dallas’ season opener on Oct. 27.
“We just need to use these last couples of days to do some fine-tuning,” Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki said. “The preseason is too long for us players anyways. We’re ready and looking forward to Tuesday.”
The Mavs and Rockets meet Friday night, with the game airing on KTXA 21 and KTXA 21 HD at 7:30 p.m CT.
The regular season tips for the Mavs 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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