Sixers vs. Mavericks: 5 things to watch for in final Orlando scrimmage

3. Defensive assignments

The Mavericks will test Philadelphia across the board. For Ben Simmons, it’s a showdown with a prime MVP candidate in Doncic. For Josh Richardson, it’s tailing someone like Curry or Hardaway. We’ve already discussed the dark magic of Porzingis at the five.

The Mavs’ starting lineup is one of the league’s most potent offensive groups. And while the defense has its holes, Dallas can often make up for it with sheer volume of points scored. The Sixers are a borderline elite defense, but it will take a collectively strong effort to quiet Dallas.

Here’s a rough outline of how the assignments will probably shake out.

• Ben Simmons –> Luka Doncic
• Shake Milton –> Seth Curry
• Josh Richardson –> Tim Hardaway Jr.
• Tobias Harris –> Dorian Finney-Smith
• Joel Embiid / Al Horford –> Kristaps Porzingis

I’m a bit worried about Milton in this one. He’s a passable defender and has a 7-foot-1 wingspan, so size isn’t a concern. But Curry is a slippery guard on the perimeter — someone who needn’t much space to load and launch from 3-point range. Milton will need to fight over screens, keep his wits about him, and avoid miscommunications. A scrambled defense is where Curry thrives most.

Of course, Hardaway is a dynamic 3-point shooter in his own right. This is one of the few games where Richardson won’t draw the lead ball-handler assignment. Simmons’ size and athleticism is tailor-made to battle Doncic, against whom he has had some success in the past. Richardson will probably get a crack at Doncic before the night is done, however.

Beyond the starting five, this matchup will put Matisse Thybulle to the test. Thybulle likes to gamble, and if he overextends himself, Dallas is equipped to make him pay. If he faces Doncic at any point, Thybulle will need to avoid foul trouble as best he can. Doncic baits contact better than anyone not named James Harden or Joel Embiid.