Anthony Davis Debuts for Dallas Mavs in Battle of Texas Versus Houston Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 08 Feb 2025
Anthony Davis is reportedly making his debut for new team Dallas Mavericks tomorrow in the so called Battle of Texas against the reeling Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center arena in Dallas.
Significantly, starting this game, Mavs coach Jason Kidd will finally grant what Davis had long been asking for but did not get from his former team, LA Lakers, i.e. he gets back to play his old position as power forward.
That could be a little problematic though as Mavs main big man Derrick Lively III is reportedly out on ankle injury and relief center Daniel Galford would need someone to spell him for rest or if he finds himself in foul trouble. The other center Dwight Powell is reportedly day to day.
That means Davis may still have to play as center as needed precluding a mano a mano with the Rockets' main point man Jaren Green though he will get to test Houston's main big man Alperen Sengun.
Kidd has originally thought of playing Davis at four with PJ Williamson at the wings to complement him but Williamson is also reportedly iffy due to injury. That means Davis would have any of Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall or Dante Exum to pass to in the wings.
Dallas however can depend on its backcourt to step up as always with Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson starting with Spencer Dinwiddle and James Hardy coming off the bench.
But the Rockets can not be taken for granted despite losing its past four games. Coach Ime Udoka would nothing more than the scalp of a headlining squad as Dallas for a morale boost comeback win and on the enemy home arena no less.
And Udoka has the materials to do just that although he will be missing major pieces in veterans Fred Van Fleet at point and relief slotman Steven Adams whose physicality can also pose trouble to Davis.
Still Udoka has enough materials in his extended line-up to implement his trademark whole of the team approach that propel Houston to as high as second in the West before an unexplained four game losing streak.
With Sengun playing steady ball at the slot on both ends, Udoka will rely on Amen Thompson to complement Green with further fire-power support from Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith, Jr. coming off the bench. Aaron Holiday and Nate Williams will take care of the backcourt while Jock Landsdale will spell Sengun at center.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
Fri, 17 Jul 2026WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc.
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026Asian Youth Chess in China
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Ryan Garcia Set to Defend World Title Against Conor Benn in Paramount+ Global Bout at T-Mobile Arena on September 12 over Mexican Independence Day Weekend
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Fight Result: Yuga Ozaki Stops Jerry Francisco in Tokyo
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Jul 2026Bruno Tarimo returns to Headline Dragon Fire Boxings next event; BOXINGMANIA August 8th in a WBA Championship clash with Junlun Zhao
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The WBC Reaps Rewards in Uruguay
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 15 Jul 2026Risky proposition for Charly
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 15 Jul 2026