Sixers-Dallas Mavericks preseason game No. 3: Roster, highlights, how to watch and more

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Ready for some Friday morning basketball?

If you're on the East Coast, that's when the Sixers will take on the Dallas Mavericks in the first of two NBA China Games matchups. 

Putting aside the "insane" off-court side of things for the Sixers in Shanghai, here are a couple storylines to watch in the third preseason game. 

• Outside of Markelle Fultz’s momentous three-pointer, this might have been the prettiest play from Monday night’s game against the Magic.

Fultz works around staggered screens from Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, with Simmons rolling to the rim and Embiid popping out to the three-point line. Simmons commands Aaron Gordon’s attention, Embiid’s screen clears out D.J. Augustin (the man guarding Fultz), and the result is an open jumper in rhythm.

The Sixers ran the fewest pick-and-rolls in the league last season. Their offense revolved around constant movement, dribble handoffs and screening off the ball, along with the transition brilliance of Simmons and Embiid in the post. 

That may not change dramatically this season. But with Fultz, Simmons and Embiid set to share the court much more, there are plenty of intriguing pick-and-roll possibiliies. 

• The Sixers’ wing rotation with Wilson Chandler sidelined remains a notable storyline in the final two preseason games. Brown has said T.J. McConnell has yet to play much with the regulars because “I know what T.J. is,” although he plans to play McConnell more at the two alongside Simmons in China.

Landry Shamet impressed in his opportunity against the Magic, scoring 12 points in 19 minutes, but Brown isn’t forgetting about Furkan Korkmaz. Monday night, Korkmaz scored 18 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter.

Brown took note of the scoring he did around the world this summer. Korkmaz excelled for Turkey in the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. 

He also posted a 40-point game for the Sixers in summer league.

“I don’t know if people were aware of how good he was recently overseas,” Brown told reporters Wednesday in Shanghai. “The tournament where people were trying to qualify for world championships, and the firepower and the pressure and the volume of countries in Europe is real. He was excellent on a global stage representing Turkey, his country.

"... I’m always challenging him, like everybody else, defensively. But he’s amongst that list of players you have to consider of, ‘What’s that mean now that Wilson’s gone for a while?’ This is an important preseason for him.” 

Below are the essentials for Friday's game. Chandler (left hamstring strain), Jerryd Bayless (left knee sprain) and Norvel Pelle (gastroenteritis) did not make the trip to China. JJ Redick also has gastroenteritis and is listed as questionable.

When: 7:30 a.m. Eastern time, 7:30 p.m. in Shanghai
Where: Mercedes-Benz Arena
Broadcast: NBA TV

Roster
Jerryd Bayless, G, 6-3/210, No. 0
Jonah Bolden, F, 6-10/220, No. 43
Anthony Brown, G/F, 6-7/225, No. 14
Wilson Chandler, F, 6-9/225, No. 22
Robert Covington, F, 6-9/225, No. 33
Joel Embiid, C, 7-0/260, No. 21
Markelle Fultz, G, 6-4/200, No. 20
Demetrius Jackson, G, 6-1/200, No. 11
Amir Johnson, F/C, 6-9/240, No. 5
Furkan Korkmaz, G/F, 6-7/185, No. 30
T.J. McConnell, G, 6-2/190, No. 12
Shake Milton, G, 6-6/205, No. 18
Mike Muscala, F/C, 6-11/240, No. 31
Emeka Okafor, C, 6-10/255, No. 50
Norvel Pelle, C, 6-11/215, No. 1
JJ Redick, G, 6-4/195, No. 17
Dario Saric, F, 6-10/250, No. 9
Landry Shamet, G, 6-5/190, No. 23
Ben Simmons, G/F, 6-10/230, No. 25
Zhaire Smith, G, 6-4/200, No. 8

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