Dallas Mavericks: Top 5 games to watch in 2018-19

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4 of 6

Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images. /

3. Oct. 22 vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Dallas Mavericks traded their No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft alongside and a protected 2019 first round pick to the Atlanta Hawks to move up and select Luka Doncic with the No. 3 selection. The Hawks took college phenom Trae Young at the fifth spot.

The third game of Doncic and Young’s rookie seasons won’t determine who has the better career, with injuries being an uncontrollable factor. It could, however, indicate which team has the better return on investment for the immediate future.

Young and Doncic are both guards, but operate their offenses in different ways. Young uses his perimeter scoring to warp defenses, while Doncic makes impossible passes look easy. Both will have relatively young casts around them, but Doncic does have more veteran leadership to rely on in Dirk Nowitzki, Harrison Barnes, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris.

Another reason to watch this game is because it could be one of, if not the final matchup between future NBA Hall-of-Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter, both of whom are over 40.

Home/Dallas Mavericks