The Mavericks preseason home opener started out with a relative dud. Dallas struggled to shoot the ball with any consistency, and both teams played sloppy basketball coughing it up with travels and offensive fouls.
The Mavericks appeared to be in trouble when Giannis Antetekounmpo flashed his range by knocking down a few threes and maneuvered to wherever he desired on the court, ultimately pouring in 27 first half points.
But the Mavericks stayed within striking distance after a Boban Marjanovic offensive explosion with eight points in seven first half minutes. And thanks to a Luka Doncic three-point barrage, who scored the 11 straight Maverick points, Milwaukee was only able to take a six point lead into the half.