Dallas Mavericks Aim to Avoid Winless Preseason in Home Game Against Milwaukee

The Dallas Mavericks return to their home court on Thursday evening with the intent of avoiding a winless preseason as they compete against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Mavericks, currently holding a 0-3 record in this year’s exhibition schedule, have faced losses against Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls so far.

Keen attention is on the injury list as several key players have been affected. Prominent player Luka Doncic made his preseason debut recently after sitting out the initial two games due to hip soreness. However, Maxi Kleber continues to be absent, marking his third successive game missed owing to a lingering calf contusion. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd labels Kleber as “doubtful” for Thursday’s final preseason game. In contrast, veteran shooter Dirk Nowitzki, who skipped Monday’s game for rest, is anticipated to participate in the upcoming match.

Shooting performance has been in the spotlight, with Klay Thompson drawing attention for his recent form. Known for his sharpshooting, Thompson has hit only 3 of his last 28 attempts, translating to a 10.7% field goal percentage. Despite this, there’s little concern from the Mavericks camp, given the informal nature of preseason games. Observers are looking forward to witnessing an uptick in Thompson’s shooting as the regular season approaches.

In the absence of Doncic, the lineup combinations that coach Kidd might explore could be crucial. These minutes are expected to provide valuable insights into which players coordinate well with star guard Kyrie Irving when Doncic isn’t on the court. Analyst interest lies particularly in a potential lineup featuring Irving, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Thompson, and Dwight Powell. Such a combination could see various rotations, including Tim Hardaway Jr., Marquese Chriss, or even Richaun Holmes and Seth Curry when they are available.

While the Mavericks officially have no open roster spots, previous seasons have seen unexpected player transactions. Last year, Michael Foster Jr. was on a two-way contract before his release midseason. With certain players exceeding expectations in preseason performances, a similar scenario might emerge as the team finalizes their roster.

The Mavericks are scheduled to tip off against the Bucks at 6:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center. Basketball enthusiasts can tune into the game via TNT without blackout restrictions, or they can choose the local broadcast available on Mavs.com for a more personalized viewing experience.