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Dallas has started the season strong and will definitely want to keep that momentum going. After four games, they have three wins and one loss, and they'll be looking for another victory in their Texas showdown against Houston.
Dallas is a team that has a lot of quality individuals who can really turn a game in one direction. The team led by Jason Kidd has fierce ambitions this season, aware that they really have the potential and strength to fight with the best. A team consisting of players like Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving and others can certainly do something great this season.
Tonight, we'll also see Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who have had a tough start with a 1-3 record, as they try to bounce back against Memphis.
Additionally, there's a matchup between Utah and San Antonio, where Victor Wembanyama will need to redeem himself after two disappointing games. In another matchup, we’ll see if Ivica Zubac can continue his dominant play for the Los Angeles Clippers as they face the Phoenix Suns. Let’s break it down...
After an initial win against a battered Philadelphia 76ers team, the Bucks lost consecutively to Chicago, Brooklyn, and Boston. The general feeling is that the losses to the Bulls and Nets should never have happened to Milwaukee, which now feels the pressure to win against Memphis at this stage of the season. It won’t be easy for Doc Rivers’ squad, who might be in danger of a coaching change given their struggles.
Stephen A. Smith on Doc Rivers
Stephen A. Smith, the ESPN analyst, offered an interesting take on Doc Rivers, expressing his confusion about why the team is in such a crisis. Despite having great individual talent and a coach who has proven his ability to lead teams like Milwaukee, it’s clear that something is missing. Smith hasn't forgotten Khris Middleton's injury, hoping that the team can find their rhythm and get back on track. However, he warns that if Doc's squad continues this way, it will likely mean the end for the experienced coach and his tenure with the Bucks.
"I don’t understand what’s happening in Milwaukee. The team opened the season with a win and has since lost three in a row. Damian Lillard and Giannis are averaging 28 points per game. Obviously, Khris Middleton's injury is hurting the team. I don’t know what the hell is going on right now, but they better respond. As for Doc... Again, I’ve said on many occasions that I’m a fan of his. I love the guy, but if he doesn’t get the team functioning this season... This could be the end of Doc Rivers' career as a head coach in the NBA," - Smith said, as quoted by Foot Boom 1.
The Grizzlies are a young team hungry for success, especially after a bizarre previous season marked by injuries and Ja Morant's lengthy suspension.
Things are slowly coming together for the Mavericks. Klay Thompson is still finding his rhythm, but it hasn’t yet translated into results. In their last game, the Mavericks defeated Minnesota, thanks to Kyrie Irving’s 35 points and a crucial long-range three-pointer from Luka Dončić that extinguished Minnesota's hopes.
Tonight, they face the Houston Rockets, who are again fighting for a play-in spot this season. Young players Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Jalen Green are still maturing, and now they also have rookie Reed Shepard. This game will be a battle at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Many believe that this match will offer the fans what they have wanted for a long time. On the one hand, a duel between a team with experienced players and a team with many young players, who have yet to surface, will bring what we want.
Utah is still looking for their first win, while San Antonio, despite bringing in Chris Paul this summer, is not meeting expectations. Victor Wembanyama has also had a rough start, shooting a poor 1-for-5 in his last game. This isn’t what Greg Popovich hoped for, and as an experienced coach, he’s not getting any younger. Still, he holds out hope that with Wembanyama, he might chase another championship, which would solidify his status as the greatest coach of all time.
The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard for a while, but they still have James Harden and Ivica Zubac. The Croatian center has been amazing to start the season, scoring over 20 points in three of four games and consistently grabbing double-digit rebounds. As for Phoenix, it's clear that Mike Budenholzer has injected some new energy into the team. His squads typically perform well during the regular season, so it’s no surprise they have a 3-1 record
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