'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Their contrasting runs so far in the 2024-25 NBA season aside, the Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks' Emirates NBA Cup opener will be emotions and a potential humdinger at the Chase Center on Tuesday (Nov. 12). It's all about Klay Thompson and his return to the Bay Area for the first time as an opponent — a storyline the NBA world never saw coming.
Thompson was supposed to be a Warrior for life. He spent 11 seasons with Golden State and had a dynasty run alongside Splash Brother, Steph Curry. It would have been five titles if not for his current Mavs teammate Kyrie Irving's iconic clutch shot in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Now, the very same Irving recruited Thompson to ink a three-year deal with Dallas, and the summer of 2024 saw the versatile F/G leave the franchise that drafted him. Make no mistake, Klay Thompson was a hero for the Warriors, and he will forever be remembered as one.
Trending
Rollback to Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals when he was the best player for the Dubs with 30 points on 12 shots. Then came the moment that changed everything when his nuclear run screeched to a grounding halt after a collision with then-Raptor Danny Green.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Thompson, a Kobe Byrant ardent had his Mamba Mentality moment when he came back from the tunnel to deafening cheers at the Oracle Arena to sink two free throws. He was done, though, with an ACL tear that saw him miss 941 days of basketball.
The closest comparison to Klay Thompson's welcome to the Bay Area is what Derrick Rose used to get each time he played at the United Center after his career with the Chicago Bulls.
To his credit, the veteran has remained a competitive professional by trying to take the emotions out of the matchup and focusing more on the game. Curry on the other hand made it clear that he "hated" the feeling of seeing No. 31 after his iconic No. 11 as the Warriors blue. It's all storylines and emotions. There will be bouquets and brickbats in equal measure each time the focus shifts to Thompson for every touch, shot, and miss.
It just so happens that the first encounter between these two this season is part of the Emirates NBA Cup, and unfortunately, it pales in the background instead of adding a zing to the whole Thompson and the Mavs vs Warriors narrative.
Both teams had a forgettable run in the inaugural edition, where Thompson ironically made the headlines as he grappled with Jaden McDaniels with his Warriors jersey ripped in half when they played the Minnesota Timberwolves. Let's not even get into what unfolded seconds later between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert.
This season, the new-look Warriors are off to a brilliant 8-2 start. The Mavericks are 5-5 and have seen early struggles. Both teams come into the contest with Dallas falling to the Denver Nuggets and the Warriors overcoming a stern OKC Thunder test. The visitors will look to course-correct despite losing some key names to injury while Golden State will be keen to build on their momentum.
The two teams are grouped in West Group C which also includes the New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors preview, predicted starting lineups, betting tips, odds, and prediction
The Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors tips off at 10 pm ET. The game will be televised on TNT. The matchup can also be streamed live on Fubo TV (regional restrictions may apply) and the NBA App with a subscription to the NBA League Pass.
Here's a look at the odds as listed at the time of writing:
Note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off.
Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors preview
The Mavericks were expected to be a top-tier sider after clinching the WCF last season and ending as the NBA Finalists. They further bolstered their side by adding Thompson in the offseason.
Despite the promise and potential, injuries and inconsistency have robbed Dallas of must-win games early on in the season. A lineup devoid of quality bigs and two-way impact sees them hit a rough patch. Their reserve options have sizzled and fizzled leaving the 'Big 3' of Luka Doncic, Irving, and Thompson to do a massive chunk of the work.
Dallas' depth was supposed to be their strength, but their dismal production just added to the team's woes during their losses to the Phoenix Suns and the Nuggets.
Throw in a slow start and erratic shooting from the deep, the Mavericks head to San Fran with ample issues to tackle. They are eighth in the NBA in scoring offense (116 points per 100 possessions) and are 13th in their defensive rating allowing teams to average 112.0 points.
The Warriors are playing quality basketball. Pristine shooting, great ball sharing, and a Draciel-like defense have seen them dominate opponents at will. Their defense has been their biggest weapon as they allow their opponents to score an estimated 104.8 points to be the fourth-best defensive team in the league. Golden State is second in the NBA on scoring offense propping up 120+ points per every 100 possessions.
Between Steph Curry's form, Buddy Hield's reliable shooting, and Green's defense, the Golden State Warriors have enough to counter the short-handed Mavericks. Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, and their bench comprising Kyle Anderson and DeAnthony Melton add versatility and solid production to their strengths.
Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors predicted starting lineups
The Golden State Warriors are likely to field their usual starting five with Kuminga coming off the bench.
Golden State Warriors Injury Report (Nov. 12): Andrew Wiggins (back) is listed as questionable.
The Mavericks may start the same five from their previous game against the Nuggets.
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report (Nov. 12): Dereck Lively II (shoulder) is listed as questionable, and PJ Washington (knee) is doubtful. Dante Exum (wrist) is out.
Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors betting tips
Klay Thompson is one of the players to keep an eye out for as he enters the contest with an o/u of -135/ -111 on points. Kyrie Irving is -125/-111 on points. Stephen Curry is -120/-106 on points. Luka Doncic is -125/-113 on points and rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors prediction
Outplaying the Warriors on both ends of the floor is the only way for the Mavericks to emerge winners on Tuesday.
They are short-handed, but they still have two players who can shoot lights out and keep the team ahead, they will have to figure out a way to contain Curry and Hield. This might be the game where the big guns from both teams will fire in unison, but the Warriors should ultimately prevail. Mark a win for the Golden State Warriors.
Mavericks Fan? Check out the latest Dallas Mavericks depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.
