2013 Dallas Mavericks schedule: Monta Ellis returns and Texas battles highlight year

Dec. 11 at Golden State -- Ellis’ other former team, the Warriors, will host Dallas. There, Ellis is involved in a similar story line as is the case in Milwaukee. It’s also another test for the Mavericks and a chance to prove their place against another rising Western Conference team.

Jan. 8 vs. Spurs -- If the Mavs can develop enough cohesiveness to be pushing the Rockets and Warriors, why not call it a big game against the reigning Western Conference champions? Dallas’ unique offensive weapons will be a particularly curious matchup against Gregg Popovich’s squad.

From Dec. 23 through Jan. 8, the Mavericks go through a stretch of nine games where every opponent could be a playoff squad. Dallas plays the Rockets, Spurs, Bulls, Timberwolves, Wizards, Clippers, Knicks, Lakers and the Spurs again.

Additionally, the last 16 games of the regular season contain two games each against the Thunder and Clippers, and single games against Brooklyn, Golden State, San Antonio and Memphis. There are also matchups against potential playoff teams such as the Timberwolves, Nuggets and Lakers.

The end of November and front half of December looks reasonable on paper. The Mavs play Atlanta, Minnesota, Charlotte, New Orleans, Portland, Sacramento, Golden State and Milwaukee, with the Warriors being the toughest out.

January is also a month where Dallas can make a run. From Jan. 10 through Feb. 9, there are 17 games and only four — games against Memphis, Houston, Brooklyn and the Clippers — would be labeled under the category of elite competition.

Back-to-backs: 16

Season opener: Oct. 30 at home vs. Atlanta

Longest road trip: Four games (Dec. 4-11)

Longest homestand: Eight games (March 17-April 1)