DALLAS — Winning will not be the primary objective when the Dallas Mavericks face the Houston Rockets twice in Macao next week, Mavericks coach Dusty May said Friday. He called the trip a fact-finding mission.
The Mavericks play the Rockets at The Venetian Arena on Oct. 9, with tip-off at 7 a.m. CT, and again Oct. 11 as part of the NBA China Games 2026. Dallas still wants to win every drill and every shooting competition, according to May.
“Well, they’re going to expose some things because of the way they play and how hard they play and their athleticism and their switchability, but also then their skill on offense will challenge some parts defensively,” May said. “So it will be a fact-finding mission. We want to win every drill. We want to win every shooting competition. But winning is not going to be the primary objective.”
“We need to leave Macao with a much better understanding of what our holes are on offense and defense and what are some things that we can hang our hat on when the game slows down,” May continued.
Houston will be a familiar opponent. Dallas opens the regular season at the Rockets on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT, and the teams meet again Oct. 30 at American Airlines Center to open NBA Cup group play for the Mavericks.
Dusty May On What Dallas Wants From Macao
On Thursday, May said there is no way to tell whether the offense or defense is ahead in practice until another team exposes something. A day earlier, he said he has no idea yet what his first and second units will be.
Dallas has 20 players in camp, and May did not say Friday whether Santi Aldama or Morez Johnson Jr. will play in Macao. Johnson is playing a lot of 5-on-5, according to May.
“I know Morez is playing a lot of 5-on-5 now, so he’s obviously much closer,” May said. “… He played a lot today. He’s still dealing with the ramp back up. But most importantly, we want our guys to be healthy, mentally and physically, on game nights.”
May has been surprised by how quickly a group from all over the world has come together. Dallas does not have a lot of players back from last season.
“I think they’re a connected group for not being together. We don’t have a lot of guys back from last year. And we don’t have very many back that were here two years ago. Very few guys were here two years ago,” May explained. “So for a group to come together from all over the world and seem as connected as they are, and the way they relate to each other, that’s probably been the biggest surprise, because those are things you never, ever know.”
The Mavericks have players from Spain, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guinea, and Canada in camp, among others.
Daniel Gafford And Tarik Biberović On The NBA China Games
Daniel Gafford wants three things out of Macao: getting used to playing together, getting used to different lineups, and talking more on defense.
“Of course, get used to playing with each other, get used to our offense when it comes to different guys on the floor, different lineups, and just the defensive side too,” Gafford said. “Getting uncomfortable with communicating with each other more. If you don’t talk as much, you got to talk a lot now. So I would say those are the main three things in my, that would help us in general.”
Gafford has never been to China.
“Nah, this will be my first time,” Gafford said. “… Man, I’m a big food guy. So it’s like definitely going to find a ramen spot. But any type of cuisine over there, I mean, I’m all for it. I’m at a point to where it’s like I try a lot of stuff. It’s all about the experience for me. So we’ll see.”
Tarik Biberović wants Dallas to use the games to get on the same page. Dallas has a new team and a new staff, he said.
“Well, like, I’ll talk team, from the team’s perspective first. We have a new team, pretty much a new team and new staff, and a lot of new energy,” Biberović said. “So I think we as a team have to be on the same page and try to put in accord the things we’re working on here, even before the preseason camp. So for me, that’s the most important: to be on the same page, to be in the rhythm.”
“And me personally, I’ll try to fight for every single chance I have. I’m a good shooter, I believe in myself, but also, firstly and foremostly, I’m a basketball player,” Biberović continued. “So be there for the team to get a win.”
The chemistry felt natural to Gafford, who said it was as if the group knew the new players before they arrived.
“I really can’t pinpoint what kind of caused it. It was just natural. Like, the majority of the guys, like, it felt like we knew the majority of these guys that came in before they even came in,” Gafford said. “So, it was just, we’re one big happy family at the end of the day. And we’re just pushing each other to better. And that chemistry that we’re building is because we’re always around each other.”
After Macao, Dallas hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 14 and the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 16, with both games tipping off at 7 p.m. CT.
