Official release: Mavs announce schedule

DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks announced their 2008-09 season schedule today, which includes nine games on ESPN, seven on TNT and five on ABC.

Dallas begins its 29th season on Thursday, Oct. 30 at home as they take on the Houston Rockets. It also marks the eighth season at American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks’ nine ESPN telecasts include Nov. 7 at Denver, Nov. 19 at Houston, Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, Jan. 9 at Phoenix, Jan. 23 at Detroit, Jan. 28 vs. Golden State, March 4 vs. San Antonio, April 8 vs. Utah and April 15 vs. Houston.

TNT features the Mavericks seven times. Those games are the season opener Oct. 30 vs. Houston, Nov. 13 at Chicago, Dec. 4 vs. Phoenix, Dec. 25 at Portland, Feb. 5 at Utah, Feb. 12 vs. Boston and March 5 at New Orleans.

Dallas also has five nationally televised games on ABC. They are Jan. 25 at Boston, Mar. 15 at L.A. Lakers, March 29 at Cleveland, April 5 vs. Phoenix and April 10 vs. New Orleans.

The remaining portion of the Mavericks local television schedule for games on TXA21 and Fox Sports Net will be released shortly. All games can be heard on ESPN 103.3 FM and on KFLC (1270 AM) in Spanish.

Contrary to last season, Dallas spends most of November and March on the road. The team plays a season-high 10 games on the road each of those months. November features two three-game road stints, while March has one of the team’s two four-game jaunts. The other one falls in January.

December is kind to the Mavericks as they play nine of their 15 games at home, including a stretch of seven straight at American Airlines Center from Dec. 2-15. It also marks the first time since the 2003-04 season that the team plays on Christmas Day. This season Dallas will travel to Portland for the holiday.

Dallas plays six of its eight games in April at American Airlines Center to conclude the 2008-09 regular season.

In total, the Mavericks have 16 back-to-backs this season. Six of them begin on the road and conclude at home, five are home-away and five are on the road.

For information on full season, half and mini packages, call 214-747-MAVS for the best available seating and ticket plans in American Airlines Center.