Revamped Mavericks could be surprise team as schedule released
Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes are playing a busy schedule for their respective national teams in the Olympic Games in Rio.
Soon they’ll be playing for the same team, the Dallas Mavericks, and the schedule will be much, much tougher.
The Mavericks released their 2016-2017 regular-season schedule Thursday evening. They open the season Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Indiana. Their home opener is Friday, Oct. 28, against Houston.
The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James will come to the American Airlines Center on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. The Golden State Warriors, who won an NBA-record 73 regular-season games last year, will make their only trip to Dallas on March 21, 2017.
Dallas will face the Phoenix Suns in Mexico City on Jan. 12.
The Mavericks’ national TV schedule includes five games on ESPN, three on TNT and five on NBA TV.
The revamped Mavericks, led by superstar Dirk Nowitzki, will begin their quest for their 16 playoff appearance in the past 17 years.
And maybe more.
With the addition of Bogut, Barnes and others, the Mavericks might be the surprise team in the league next season. Bogut was acquired in a trade from Golden State. Barnes, who also played with the Warriors, was signed during free agency. Bogut is playing on the Australian national team. Barnes is on the USA squad.
Nowitzki, who led the team in scoring last season, signed a two-year deal during the off-season.
The components are creating optimism, particularly after Bogut’s performances in the Olympics.
Dallas Mavericks 2016-2017 regular-season schedule
OCTOBER
26 at Indiana, 6 p.m.
28 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
30 at Houston, 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER
2 at Utah, 8 p.m.
4 vs. Portland, 7:30 p.m.
6 vs. Milwaukee, 6 p.m.
8 at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.
9 at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.
14 at New York Knicks, 6:30 p.m.
16 at Boston, 6:30 p.m.
18 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m.
19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
21 at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.
23 vs. L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m.
25 at Cleveland, 6:30 p.m.
27 vs. New Orleans, 6 p.m.
30 vs. San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.
DECEMBER
1 at Charlotte 6 p.m.
3 vs. Chicago 7:30 p.m.
5 vs. Charlotte 7:30 p.m.
7 vs. Sacramento 7:30 p.m.
9 vs. Indiana 7:30 p.m.
10 at Houston 7 p.m.
12 vs. Denver 7:30 p.m.
14 vs. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
16 at Utah 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
18 vs. Sacramento 6 p.m. (NBATV)
19 at Denver 8 p.m.
21 at Portland 9 p.m. (NBATV)
23 at L.A. Clippers 9:30 p.m. (NBATV)
26 at New Orleans 7 p.m.
27 vs. Houston 7:30 p.m.
29 at L.A. Lakers 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
30 at Golden State 9:30 p.m.
JANUARY
3 vs. Washington 7:30 p.m.
5 vs Phoenix 7:30 p.m.
7 vs. Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
9 at Minnesota 7 p.m.
12 at Phoenix 9 p.m. in Mexico City
15 vs. Minnesota 3 p.m.
17 at Chicago 7 p.m.
19 at Miami 6:30 p.m.
20 vs. Utah 7:30 p.m.
22 vs. L.A. Lakers 2:30 p.m.
25 vs. New York 7:30 p.m.
26 at Oklahoma City 7 p.m. (TNT)
29 at San Antonio 6 p.m.
30 vs. Cleveland 7:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY
1 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
3 at Portland 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
6 at Denver 8 p.m.
7 vs. Portland 7:30 p.m.
9 vs. Utah 7:30 p.m.
11 vs. Orlando 8 p.m.
13 vs. Boston 7:30 p.m.
15 at Detroit 6:30 p.m.
17-19 All-Star Weekend
24 at Minnesota 7 p.m. (ESPN)
25 vs. New Orleans 7:30 p.m.
27 vs. Miami 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
MARCH
1 at Atlanta 6:30 p.m.
3 vs. Memphis 7:30 p.m.
5 vs. Oklahoma City 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
7 vs. L.A. Lakers 7:30 p.m.
10 vs. Brooklyn 8 p.m.
11 vs. Phoenix 8 p.m.
13 at Toronto 6:30 p.m.
15 at Washington 6 p.m.
17 at Philadelphia 6 p.m.
19 at Brooklyn 11 a.m.
21 vs. Golden State 7:30 p.m.
23 vs. L.A. Clippers 7:30 p.m.
25 vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
27 vs. Oklahoma City 7:30 p.m.
29 at New Orleans 7 p.m.
31 at Memphis 7 p.m.
APRIL
2 at Milwaukee 2:30 p.m.
4 at Sacramento 9:30 p.m.
5 at L.A. Clippers 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
7 vs. San Antonio 7:30 p.m.
9 at Phoenix 5 p.m.
11 vs. Denver 7:30 p.m.
12 at Memphis 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Revamped Mavericks could be surprise team as schedule released."