Dallas Mavericks: Takeaways from the 2017-18 schedule

Following the release of the 2017-18 NBA schedule, here are some takeaways from what will be Dirk Nowitzki’s 20th season with Dallas Mavericks.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent the last month or so wondering at what point the Dallas Mavericks are going to re-sign Nerlens Noel, or what their 2017-18 schedule is going to look like.

Fortunately the NBA obliged with the latter, having released the official schedule Monday evening.

Below  you can see the full schedule:

Opening night

Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks kick off the season hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 18. Three days later, they take a short road trip to Houston for what will be Dennis Smith Jr.’s first real taste of the NBA as they visit the Chris Paul– and James Harden-led Houston Rockets.

Back-to-backs

Just like last season, the Mavericks will play 15 back-to-backs this season, which sees them tied with eight teams for second-most in the league. Of the 15 back-to-backs this season, 11 of them are before the All-Star break, so if the Mavs are in a playoff race they will only have the four back-to-backs to close out the season.

Nationally televised games

The Mavericks will play the eighth-fewest nationally television games this season, with just 11 on the schedule. ESPN and NBA TV will both air five Mavericks games apiece, with TNT hosting the other.

While the Mavericks only have the 11 nationally televised games, they are going to be must-watch TV; the five games being shown on ESPN are the Los Angeles Clippers (Nov. 1), San Antonio Spurs (Dec. 12), Houston Rockets (Jan. 24), Phoenix Suns (Jan. 31) and Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 23).

The lone TNT game will see the Mavericks traveling to Oakland on Dec. 14 to face the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

Home-stands and road trips

The longest home-stand for the Mavericks this season is just four games, which they will do three times this season (Nov. 14-20, Jan. 3-9 and March 4-11). The longest road trip the Mavericks take this season is also four games, but they will only be doing this twice this season (Jan. 31-Feb. 8 and March 13-20).

Congested Period

Unsurprisingly, the Mavericks’ most congested period of the season is over the festive period. In this time they will play 16 games, 10 of which are on the road.

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While neither of their four-game road trips are in December, they do have two three-game road trips and two two-game road trips. Their longest home-stand in this period is just two games.