SAN ANTONIO -- At the end of Monday morning's shootaround at AT&T Center, Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley and player development coach God Shammgod spent extra time working with rookie Dennis Smith Jr. on defending pick-and-roll situations.
It's difficult enough that Smith will be tasked with defending Patty Mills, but tonight also marks the return of Spurs guard Tony Parker, who hasn't played in an NBA game since he ruptured his left quadriceps tendon during last season's Western Conference semifinals against Houston.
Regardless of whether Parker starts or how much he plays or how effective he is, the atmosphere in AT&T Center will be more electric than if this were just another Monday night game between 12-7 San Antonio and 5-15 Dallas.