Mavs vs. Clippers in Canada: 'Geeked' About Meeting a Contender

It's the Mavs vs. the Clippers in Canada - and Dallas' kids are 'Geeked' about meeting the SI cover team and an NBA contender

DALLAS - The Dallas Mavs are 1-3 in the preseason and they close it out with a road trip to Vancouver to oppose the Los Angeles Clippers (tip-off is at 9:30 p.m. CT) and Mavs.com says they are "geeked.''

Said Kristaps Porzingis: “I’m actually excited about that game. They’re going to be one of the best teams for all the NBA.''

Sports Illustrated obviously agrees, opting to place the "new-look'' Clippers on this week's cover. It makes sense; many experts have picked the Clippers to be the best team in the NBA West, where the Mavs at least hope to contend.

Who will Dallas line up with tonight? As Brad Townsend notes, the preliminary suggestion is that we will see Courtney Lee and Kristaps Porzingis at forward, Maxi Kleber at center, and Delon Wright and Luka Doncic at guard.

Dallas’ injury list: Jalen Brunson (hamstring), Seth Curry (knee) and Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) are questionable; Dwight Powell (hamstring) is out.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have to make their own lineup decisions, decisions that will not include forward Paul George, who may miss the start of the regular season while recovering from offseason surgery on both of his shoulders. And what about Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who led the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title in June before signing a free agent contract with L.A.? The Mavs talk as if they prefer to be tested by him tonight.

Said Mavs guard Luka Doncic said: “It’s a challenge for me – for anybody. He’s a great defensive player and a great offensive player, so he’s going to be a challenge for us for sure. ... For us to play against them in the preseason to test ourselves against them right before the season starts, I think is great for us.'