PREVIEW: The Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks are set to clash in a Friday night matchup at the American Airlines Center, with both teams eager to bounce back from season-opening losses. Washington dropped a high-scoring contest to the Milwaukee Bucks, where they shot 40% from three but struggled to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who torched them for 37 points in just 27 minutes. The Wizards showed offensive balance with Khris Middleton leading the way with 23 points, while Alex Sarr contributed a double-double and the team demonstrated shooting efficiency at 47% from the field. The team enters the game without Jordan Poole, with veteran CJ McCollum now handling point guard responsibilities. Dallas suffered a significant home defeat in their season opener, losing 125-92 to San Antonio, with first-round draft pick Cooper Flagg experiencing a challenging debut. Anthony Davis emerged as a bright spot, recording 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Flagg managed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds despite shooting struggles. The Mavericks are looking to improve their ball movement and exploit the Wizards' vulnerable defensive setup. With home crowd support and motivation from their previous loss, the Mavericks aim to deliver a dominant performance against Washington.