Published on: Oct 5, 2022 12:50 am IST|Updated on: Oct 5, 2022 12:50 am IST
OKC vs DAL Dream11: The NBA Preseason brings to us some of the most intense basketball out there but there is no doubt that it doesn’t have the same tenacity as the Regular Season, where stakes are much higher and more eyeballs are glued. Still, let us just get through the motions and dive into the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks.
The Thunder drafted Chet Holmgren who fits in perfectly with Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander but he has been already ruled out of the season, which means this can be another tough season unless the team figures out something special on offense.
After earning a Conference Finals trip last season, the Mavericks will be hungry to start as the contenders. They don’t have the services of Jalen Brunson but Luka Doncic will again be propelling the team to a zenith if he is healthy.
Host: Oklahoma City Thunder Visitors: Dallas Mavericks Match Timing: 6 October, @ 05:30 AM Venue: BOK Center
Thunder can be a surprising team Despite being a terrible team last season, the Thunder has the ability to turn it around considering they have a great defensive team which showed a lot of heart last season. Offensively, three-point shooting is still a concern and perhaps, Josh Giddey will have to lineup some while Tre Mann can be up for a big game too. The frontline lacks depth but Jeremiah Earl-Robinson showed big defensive and rebounding potential last season.
Mavericks will have to do a lot of lifting The Mavericks will be looking to build upon what they initiated last season. They are run by the highly talented Luka Doncic who knows how to get it done as an All-Around phenomenon. On the other hand, Spencer Dinwiddie will have to play a big role as a potential starter. Inserting Christian Wood bolsters the Center position but let us see how he responds working around a loaded roster. Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway Jr. provide great depth to this squad.
Dallas Mavericks Team News
Mavericks Expected Starting Five Forwards: Dorian Finney-Smith | SF: Reggie Bullock Middle: C: Christian Wood Guards: PG: Luka Doncic | PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
BENCH: Devis Bertans, Marcus Bingham Jr., Tyler Dorsey, Josh Green, Mouhamdou Gueye, Tyler Hall, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jaden Hardy, Maxi Kleber, JaVale McGee, Frank Ntilikina, Theo Pinson, Dwight Powell, DJ Stewart Jr., McKinley Wright IV.
Thunder Expected Starting Five Forwards: PF: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | PF: Kenrich Williams Middle: C: Aleksej Pokusveski Guards: PG: Josh Giddey PG: Tre Mann
BENCH: Isaiah Roby, Darius Bazley, Aaron Wiggins, Lindy Waters III, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams, Eugene Omoruyi, Derrick Favors, Ousmane Dieng, David Nwaba.
Josh Giddey(OKC) Giddey was one of the best all-around guards last season and if his offense takes another leap then he can become an All-Star. He is one of the options for Star/Pro Player in the Dream11 NBA fantasy scenario.
Luka Doncic(DAL) Luka will be up for another MVP-styled season but will he paly in this game?
Tre Mann (OKC) Will Tre be the answer for the Thunder’s woes on the shooting end, he can surely knock down the long-ball but will he be consistent?
Spencer Dinwiddie(DAL) Consistency has been an issue for this wonderful guard. Will he fix his issues this season?
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl(OKC) Jeremiah can be an effective defender who can also hit the boards and run the floor well. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-29
Christian Wood(DAL) Wood was a terrific pick-up in the offseason and he can be an electric scorer and rebounder in the middle.
(If Doncic plays) PG: L Doncic(PP) SG:S Dinwiddie, J Giddey(SP) SF: R Bullock, T Hardaway PF: D Finney-Smith, A Pokusevski C: J Robinson-Earl
(If Doncic doesn’t play) PG: A Wiggins SG:S Dinwiddie, J Giddey(SP), T Mann SF: R Bullock, T Hardaway PF: D Finney-Smith C: C Wood(PP)
The game will be available on the NBA League Pass. The scores can be accessed through Google and the official website of the NBA. Highlights will be available on the official YouTube channel of the NBA.