Spurs' top-three defense meets a Mavericks offense ranked 27th

The San Antonio Spurs (62-20), owners of a top-three defense, visit the Dallas Mavericks (26-56), who rank 27th in offense and are without Cooper Flagg, on Saturday, October 24, at 8:00 PM ET.

Records and ranks here are last season's, with this season's rosters. Dallas scored 109.2 points per 100 possessions, 27th in the league, and ranked 27th in effective field goal percentage at 52.7. San Antonio held opponents to 52.2 percent, third-best, so the Mavericks face a defense that gives up few clean looks.

San Antonio also took away second chances, leading the league in defensive rebounding at 77.3 percent. Dallas grabbed 23.2 percent of its own misses, 26th.

Free throws are scarce as well. The Spurs allowed the fewest per shot attempt in the league, 0.228. Dallas drew them at 0.287, sixth-best, but that edge shrinks against a defense that rarely fouls.

Victor Wembanyama carries San Antonio, averaging 25 points and 3.1 blocks last season, and Stephon Castle averaged 7.4 assists. For Dallas, P.J. Washington led the healthy players in rebounding at seven a game.

Flagg, who averaged 21 points last season, is out, as is Dereck Lively II. Santi Aldama is day-to-day, and three more Mavericks carry the same status. San Antonio lists Tobias Harris and Jayden Quaintance as out.

Dallas beat Indiana 121-105 on the road, then lost 128-110 at Houston. San Antonio comes in off home losses to Houston, 114-110, and Oklahoma City, 116-104.

Pace could favor the home side. Dallas played the fourth-fastest tempo last season at 103.6 possessions, while San Antonio, with the fourth-best offense at 117.4, ranked 14th.

Sportsbooks' prices give San Antonio an 82% chance to win. Our projection puts it at 74%, with the Spurs ahead by 8.2 points.