Wizards usher in the NBA season with a battle against the Mavericks

The 4-4 preseason Washington Wizards will look to begin winning ways on the road tonight as they challenge the 5-2 preseason Dallas Mavericks to kick off day one of the NBA season.

Washington will be without Antawn Jamison for tonight's season opener, and he will remain out for several weeks. Javaris Crittenton is also expected to sit for tonight's game against Dallas.

The Wizards aren't alone when it comes to an injured big man. The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in a similar boat, as rookie power forward Blake Griffin is expected to be out for up to 6 weeks following a tweak during a preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets. As for the Portland Trail Blazers, the team will hope to begin and finish with a healthy Greg Oden this season, while the Houston Rockets will be without Yao Ming for the entire season.

Washington hosted Dallas a few weeks ago during the preseason and fell in what was a high scoring game. Jamison provided 19 points, however, offense, other than dismal free throw shooting, was not a problem for the Wizards. The Wizards could not stop the speed of the Mavericks, mainly new additions Shawn Marion and reserve guard Rodrigue Beaubois.

With Josh Howard and Tim Thomas expected to be out tonight for Dallas, Washington will need to continue to control the boards, a category the Mavericks will lose without Howard being a part of their system and something Washington achieved last time these two teams played in the preseason. Then it's up to Gilbert Arenas, who held a 4 turnovers per game average over the preseason. If Gil can't control the point or defend the up-and-coming pickpocket Beaubois, then expect a long night for Washington. For fantasy owners, look to play Caron Butler, among the top SF picks, especially with Antawn Jamison out, and Shawn Marion, who scored 26 points and finished with a somewhat low 5 rebounds but 3 steals the last time these two clubs met.

Speaking of fantasy, for a last minute Wizards refresher on fantasy picks for your fantasy basketball league this season, save a place for AJ in your mind, Gil is still questionable for a top PG spot unless you have a lot of guys in your league, and Butler rounds out as the top fantasy Wizard this year despite the add-ons of Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

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