Dallas Mavericks v New Orleans Pelicans: Preseason

The Dallas Mavericks take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, October 14, for a preseason matchup. It's one of those early-season games that doesn't count toward the standings, but it still puts two NBA teams on the court together before the regular season kicks off.

Preseason is when the coaching staff gets to work through the roster, giving minutes to the starters and the bench players alike. You'll see the core rotation getting their reps, but you'll also see the younger guys and the new additions fighting for a spot in the rotation. It's a different kind of game than a regular-season one—less about the win-loss column and more about getting the timing right and seeing who fits where before the real pressure starts.

Since it's a home game for Dallas, the Mavericks get to run the show at the AAC. The Pelicans make the trip from New Orleans, so it's a straightforward cross-division clash. If you've been following the off-season, this is one of the first chances to see how the Mavericks are looking in person before the schedule gets packed.

Tip-off is at 7 PM local time, which is 8 PM Eastern. The game is at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.