Washington Wizards (0-0) at Dallas Mavericks (0-0)
The journey to an NBA title starts with a grueling 82-game season. The first of that 82-step expedition comes Tuesday night for the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas opens the regular season at home against the Washington Wizards, a team widely expected to be one of the most improved teams in the NBA in the 2009-10 season.
"I think we're all excited," Mavs point guard Jason Kidd said after the team's morning shootaround. "We had a great Training Camp and a good preseason. Everybody feels good, so we're excited about getting this marathon started."
One reason for the anticipated improved Wizards squad is the return of one of the league's most deadly scorers, sharpshooter Gilbert Arenas. Arenas has been plagued with injuries the past two seasons.
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kidd, Mavs will have a tough time slowing down Arenas
"I think he's right there, considered as one of the best point guards in this league. He's so talented, can get to the basket and can score. Nobody talks about the way he runs the offense, but I think he does a great job of getting guys going," Kidd said of his counterpart at the point guard spot.
"After a year off, I'm know he's probably real excited to get things going and I'm just happy to see him back and healthy."
To slow Arenas down, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is prepared to show the scoring assassin different looks from the Mavericks' defense.
"Different guys and different defenses if we need to," Carlisle said when asked how he will try to defend Arenas. "He's one of the unique perimeter players that we have in the NBA. He can beat you with major scoring, or he can beat you with play-making and just the overall impact that he has on the game. He's a load and we're going to have to be ready."
After battling Washington to a 123-115 road victory in the preseason, the Mavs learned how lethal Arenas and the Wizards' offense can be. Though Washington will be without forward Antawn Jamison (shoulder), the combination of Arenas and Caron Butler equal a potent duel for any team to defend.
Dallas' main objective will be pushing the tempo leading to transition offense while trying to get back at the other end, attempting to slow Washington's transition game to a minimum.
"Butler and Arenas can score with the best of them, so we have to be able to pick our spots when we want to run and we have to pick our spots to run the half-court offense and make them play defense," Kidd said.
"We have to get back on defense no matter what, make or miss. Especially against Washington, because those guys can get out and run."
The Mavs and Wizards tip off at the American Airlines Center Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets remain available. For ticket information call (214) 747-MAVS. The game will air on FSN Southwest.
Courtesy of ESPN 103.3 FM and ESPN Deportes, 1,033 limited edition Shawn Marion t-shirts (100 of which will be signed by Marion) will be thrown to the crowd during the game.
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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