Mavericks vs. Kings: Game 8 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (4-3) vs. Sacramento Kings (5-2)
Nov. 11, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 7

2013-14 Matchups
Dec. 9 at Sacramento
Kings 112 Mavs 97
Jan. 31 at Dallas
Mavs 107 Kings 103
Mar. 29 at Dallas
Mavs 103 Kings 100 
Apr. 6 at Sacramento
Mavs 93 Kings 91

All-Time Series
Mavs 86 Kings 62

Team Ratings
Mavs
Offense: 114.3 (1st)
Defense: 111.1 (27th)
Point Differential: +2.9
Kings
Offense: 106.2 (13th)
Defense: 103.5 (11th)
Point Differential: +2.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Kings
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: Demarcus Cousins

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 20.6
RPG: Chandler, 9.6
APG: Ellis, 4.7
PER: Nowitzki, 26.6
Win Shares: Nowitzki, 0.9
Kings
PPG: Cousins, 23.0
RPG: Cousins, 11.1
APG: Collison, 6.3
PER: Cousins, 28.2
Win Shares: Cousins, 1.1


Of Note

• The Mavs have dominated the series with the Kings recently winning of the 18 out of the last 20, including 20 in a row at home. Sacramento's last win in Dallas came on Feb. 27, 2003.
• Look for Jae Crowder to see more playing time after scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He had scored only 2 points in his previous 4 games, failing to crack double-digits in minutes in any of them.
• Tyson Chandler has recored double-doubles in three of the last 4 games including a combined 31 points and 28 rebounds in the last two.
• DeMarcus Cousins was a terror for the Mavs deal with last year. In three games he averaged 25.7 points and 12 rebounds.
• The surprising Kings saw a five winning streak end on Sunday when they lost in OKC to the Thunder 101-93. Making their start to season even more impressive is the fact they have yet to face a team from the East.