The Dallas Mavericks must have the toughest schedule in the NBA. First, it was the new-look Suns. Then it was the Lakers and LeBron James. Now, it's onto the Clippers who look like a completely different team in comparison to last season.

The Clippers come into its matchup with the Mavs shooting 42 percent from three as a team. That's good enough for fourth-best in the league. Los Angeles also sits at second in three-pointers made, directly behind the Milwaukee Bucks. It's a very small sample size, but still, it explains the name of the game for the Clippers. It is a team that looks to create with its two elite wings in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Both command maximum attention from the opposing defenses with their ability to slash and get to the rim. To an already reeling Mavs defense, the Clippers wing depth posses a real hindrance to a Mavs team aiming to win its first game of the season.

Key storylines heading into game day:

• To win, the Mavs need to limit the effectiveness of Paul George. He is averaging 28 points per game on 65 percent field goal shooting. He is also shooting a blistering 58 percent from three over the course of both Clippers wins. George looks fully healthy again, and after a disappointing first season in LA, he's been the engine for the Clippers early in the season. Limiting his effectiveness increases Dallas' chances at winning today.
• Dallas needs to figure out its interior defense. In the first two games of the season, opposing teams are getting to the basket at will. Due to the defense collapsing, opposing players are able to pass out to open shooters for easy threes. Against the Lakers, open threes dug Dallas a grave. Limiting wide-open drives to the basket will also limit easy catch and shoot kick-out threes.
• Dallas has no clear-cut number two guy on this team. That role is filled by a committee until Kristaps Porzingis. In game one it was Jalen Brunson. In game two it was Josh Richardson. Finding the number two guy early against the Clippers can give the Luka Doncic led offense a leg up.
• Kawhi Leonard is listed as questionable in today's game. He received eight stitches from the elbow he received against the Nuggets. If he doesn't play that gives Dallas a better opportunity to get into the win column today.

Projected starting lineup:

Dallas Mavericks:	Los Angeles Clippers:
PG: Luka Doncic	PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: Josh Richardson	SG: Paul George
SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.	SF: Kawhi Leonard (Q)
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith	PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Dwight Powell	C: Serge Ibaka

Last notes heading into the game:

It's due time for the Mavericks to get a win. Dallas lost a close one to Phoenix and dropped the ball against the Lakers. If the team can buy into just playing average defense, and the outside jump shot is falling, Dallas has a great opportunity for a win over a quality opponent. Tip-off is slated for 2:30 CT on NBA TV.

Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports