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.
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