The Dallas Mavericks will set out in search of a first victory of the 2024-25 NBA pre-season campaign when they entertain the challenge of the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Center on Friday.
On the other hand, the Bucks will make the journey south to Texas in search of a second consecutive victory fresh off the back of a hard-fought triumph in their penultimate pre-season encounter last time out.
Match preview
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Following defeats against the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks finally got their pre-season up and running with a 111-107 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Tuesday's encounter at the Fiserv Forum.
In keeping with their opening two clashes, Doc Rivers's men were slow out of the blocks once again and went into the break trailing by nine points to a Bulls side without the services of Zach LaVine before a sensational second half saw them turn the game on its head.
Despite conceding the first basket after half time to Dalen Terry, the Bucks came out firing at the start of the third quarter and embarked on a 15-0 run shortly afterwards, spearheaded by Giannis Antetokounmpo's five-point salvo.
Having been used in a limited capacity so far, Antetokounmpo was given extended minutes last time out and unsurprisingly finished as the leading scorer on 24 points, four more than Damian Lillard, who also notched a game-high nine assists.
That was a first win for the Bucks in nine outings dating back to their game-five victory over the Indiana Pacers in last season's playoffs, where they would eventually go on to suffer a first-round exit for a second year running.
Ahead of their mouth-watering NBA season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers next Thursday, the 2021 champions will now look to close out their pre-season campaign on a winning note against a Mavericks side currently on a five-game losing streak in this fixture.
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Seeking to snap their losing streak, the Dallas Mavericks were beaten for a third straight pre-season game as they fell to a 110-96 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday.
In a back-and-forth first half that saw several lead changes, Jason Kidd's men remained within five points of their opponents, but a 15-0 run in the early exchanges of the third quarter effectively ended their chances of coming out on top.
Taking part in his second game as a Maverick, Klay Thompson was tasked with leading the offensive unit in the absence of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but the shooting guard could have hardly put in a worse performance than he did.
Thompson missed all nine of his field-goal attempts, including six from beyond the arc to go along with four turnovers and a plus/minus of -14, the second-worst score of all five starters in a rough 21-minute showing.
It is now seven defeats from the last eight games for the Mavericks either side of a 101-90 triumph over the Boston Celtics in July's Summer League encounter, just over a month since the sides last met in the NBA finals.
With little time to dwell on a disappointing defeat last time out, the Mavericks must now get themselves back on track in their final warm-up involvement before tipping off the new NBA season against the San Antonio Spurs on October 25.
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Team News
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Previously nursing hip and calf injuries respectively, PJ Washington and Brandon Williams returned to action for the Mavericks against the Clippers and are available to feature here.
Having been rested in the aforementioned game, Kyrie Irving is expected to suit up for this one, but guard partner Luka Doncic is still doubtful as he continues to nurse a calf problem.
Max Kleber and Kessler Edwards both did not play any part last time out through ankle injuries, and the forwards remain questionable for Friday's encounter.
Thirty-two-year-old Delon Wright is back in contention for the Milwaukee Bucks after making his comeback from a bruised right shoulder with a 12-minute cameo against the Bulls.
Khris Middleton, who had arthroscopic surgery on both of his ankles this off-season, could be back for his side's pre-season finale ahead of next week's curtain-raiser against the Sixers.
Dallas Mavericks possible starting five:
Irving, Hardy; Thompson, Washington; Lively
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard; Trent Jr.; Prince, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
We say: Bucks to win by 7+ points
The Mavericks have been largely underwhelming of late, and with star man Luka Doncic still working his way back up to full fitness, we are backing the Bucks to get the job done in this one.
Adepoju Marvellous
