A trip to Macao is partly basketball and partly international business, but the Mavericks’ most valuable souvenir should be a clearer scouting report on themselves.
That was the substance of Dusty May’s Friday message after Dallas’ sixth training-camp practice. Houston’s athleticism, physicality and defensive switchability should expose the Mavericks’ offensive weak points, while the Rockets’ scoring ability will place pressure on a Dallas defense that still has unfinished personnel questions.
The teams meet Oct. 9 and Oct. 11 at Venetian Arena, then face each other again in Houston when the regular season opens for Dallas on Oct. 21.
The useful question is not whether the Mavericks win an exhibition. It is whether they can keep producing sensible offensive choices after Houston removes the first one.
Houston will test the second decision
Switchable defenses are inconvenient because they refuse to cooperate with an offense’s preferred matchup. A screen does not automatically create a lumbering defender to attack, and a favorable post touch can disappear before the ball arrives. Dallas will need timing, movement and quick reads when the obvious advantage is denied.
That makes Daniel Gafford’s development more relevant than any isolated shooting number. On Friday, the center said he is willing to take occasional rhythm 3-pointers when the possession earns the attempt. He also acknowledged that the first shots may feel unfamiliar and require confidence.
Gafford has made only one 3-point attempt in seven NBA seasons, so this is a modest experiment, not a sudden change in identity.
His established work remains near the rim. Extra spacing would be useful only if it complements the screening, rolling and finishing that already make him valuable. Against Houston, the important sequence may be what follows a switched screen—whether Gafford relocates, seals a smaller defender or makes the next pass—rather than whether a single perimeter attempt drops.
May’s broader offensive test reaches beyond the center. He said Zaccharie Risacher made excellent decisions in roughly five open-court situations during Friday’s practice, pointing to improved changes of speed, driving-and-kicking reads, lane-running, offensive rebounding and open-shot making. Those were coaching observations from practice, not game statistics.
Still, Houston’s pressure should reveal whether those decisions remain available when defenders are stronger, possessions are less scripted and the first drive stalls.
