Klay Thompson Returns to the Bay Area as the Warriors Host the Mavericks in the NBA Cup Opener

Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Area as the NBA Emirates Cup tips off today with the Golden State Warriors hosting the Dallas Mavericks – Tuesday, Nov. 12 – at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services.

This NBA Cup opener will be broadcast live on TNT with tipoff scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern. (7 p.m. Pacific). Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. Sling TV has promotional offers for new customers.

The Warriors (8-2) have won six of their last seven games. That only lapse was a thorough beatdown at the hands of the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers. They have marquee wins over the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Head coach Steve Kerr has reverted back to a wing-heavy lineup that runs into the depths of the bench. Eleven Warriors are averaging 16 or more minutes this season.

The Warriors tout an offense rating of 119.2, which is the fourth-best mark in the league. They are also averaging 121.3 points per game, which is second in the league.

The free-flowing style has resulted in 30.2 assists per game, which ranks third in the NBA.

Superstar Stephen Curry is coming off a season-high 36 points in his last game. The four-time NBA champion is averaging 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field. he is averaging 28.3 minutes per game.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the Association, veteran shooting guard Buddy Hield has shined with 18.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while averaging 50% from the field.

Power forward Johnathan Kuminga is off to a roaring start with 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists while knocking down 47.7% from the field. His interior presence will be crucial in this matchup.

Small forward Andrew Wiggins is also looking revitalized with 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.2% from the field.

As their offense returns to championship form, Golden State’s defense has been sharpened. They are holding opponents to 109.4 points per game, which is seventh in the NBA. They also have the second-best rebounding team, gobbling up 48.2 per game.

Veteran power forward Draymond Green has tallied 8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field.

Golden State is getting all-around contribution during their hot stretch. Depth has been an emerging weapon for the Dubs.

Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is averaging 7.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 69.2% from the field while De’Anthony Melton is averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 38.1% overall.

The Warriors’ bench touts an NBA-best bench rating of 73.3.

The Mavericks (5-5) are trying to piece together any momentum after losing a pair to the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.

The homecoming for Thompson will be bittersweet. Four NBA championships and 11 seasons of memories from the team that drafted him. He will suit up in the visitors locker room for the first time and oppose his former Splash Brother.

After three straight games of 18 or more points, he has seven straight games with 16 or fewer points. Thompson is averaging 13.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field. He has shot 5 of 20 from beyond the arc in his last three games.

The Mavericks are powered by the 1-2 punch of Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic and star guard Kyrie Irving.

Doncic is averaging 28.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field. Doncic has scored 30 or more points in three of his last five games.

Irving is averaging 25.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 53.9% from the field. He tallied 43 points in a losing effort against the Nuggets.

The Mavericks are in the middle of the pack in the four major statistical team categories. They are averaging 114.1 points per game, 44.2 rebounds, 25.6 assists and are holding opponents to 110.1 points per game.

Dallas interior will be tested as they will be without Derek Lively and likely P.J. Washington. On the other side, this will open up the scoring opportunities and a much larger role for Thompson.

The last nine meeting between these two teams has resulted within a 10-point margin.

Thirty teams are divided into six pools of five-team groups. Three from the Eastern Conference and three from the Western Conference. Each team plays once against every team in their pool. The winners of each group, as well as one wild card team from each conference advance to the knockout rounds.

Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins (lower back strain) is questionable

Dallas Mavericks: Dante Exum (right wrist surgery), Jazian Gortman (G-League two-way) and Dereck Lively II (right shoulder sprain) are all out.

PJ Washington (right knee sprain) is doubtful.

Luka Doncic (left groin strain) is probable.

Moneyline: GSW: (-148), DAL: (+124)

Spread: GSW: -2.5, DAL: +2.5

Over/Under: 235

Odds from DraftKings

Here’s more information on how to watch Warriors-Mavericks NBA Cup on TV or streaming services:

What: NBA Cup group play: Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks

When: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024

Time: 10 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Pacific)