Mavericks at Rockets: Game 14 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (10-3) at Houston Rockets (9-3)
Sat. Nov.22 at the Toyoya Center
TV: Channel 21, NBATV
Line: Mavs by 3

2013-14 Matchups
Nov. 1 at Houston
Rockets 113 Mavs 105
Nov. 20 at Dallas
Mavs 123 Rockets 120
Dec. 23 at Houston
Mavs 111 Rockets 104
Jan. 29 at Dallas
Rockets 117 Mavs 115

All-Time Series
Rockets 81 Mavs 78

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 119.6 (1st)
Def. Rating: 106.5 (16th)
Point Differential: +12.2
Rockets
Offense: 103.6 (22nd)
Defense: 98.1 (3rd)
Point Differential: +5.1

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Rockets
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: James Harden
SF: Trevor Ariza
PF: Donatas Motiejunas
C: Tarik Black


Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 19.7
RPG: Chandler, 10.2
APG: Ellis, Barea, 4.6
PER: Wright, 29.7
Win Shares: Nowitzki, Chandler, 1.9
Rockets
PPG: Harden, 23.8
RPG: Howard, 11.3
APG: Harden, 6.9
PER: Harden, 22.7
Win Shares: Harden, 2.2

Of Note

• Chandler Parsons returns to Houston for the first time since signing a 3 year deal with the Mavs this off-season that the Rockets refused to match.
• Devin Harris is questionable after missing the last two games with right lower leg soreness.
• For Houston, Dwight Howard is unlikely to play with a strained right knee and starting forward Terrance Jones is out with a nerve contusion.
• Former Mav Jason Terry is averaging 7.4 points in 21.6 minutes per game and is shooting 46% on threes.
• Dallas has won 12 out of their last 15 against the Rockets, including 5 out of 7 in Houston.
• Mainly because of blowouts Dirk has played less than 28 minutes in 5 straight games. He is still averaging 17 points per game in that stretch.
• The Mavs with a win will have their first seven game win streak since the 10-11 championship season.