Mavericks vs. Bulls: Game 44 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (30-13) vs. Chicago Bulls (28-16)
Fri. Jan. 23, 7:00 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, ESPN
Line: Mavs by 7

2014-15 Matchups
Dec. 2 at Chicago
Mavs 132 Bulls 129 (2OT)

All-Time Series
Mavs 34 Bulls 33

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 110.7 (2nd)
Def. Rating: 102.9 (13th)
Point Differential: +6.4
Bulls
Offense: 105.9 (8th)
Defense: 102.4 (12th)
Point Differential: +2.9

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Bulls
PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Jimmy Butler
SF: Tony Snell
PF: Taj Gibson
C: Pau Gasol

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.0
RPG: Chandler, 12.2
APG: Rondo, 7.3
PER: Nowitzki, 21.3
Win Shares: Chandler, 6.3
Bulls
PPG: Butler, 20.5
RPG: Gasol, 11.5
APG: Rose, 5.1
PER: Gasol, 22.2
Win Shares: Butler, 7.1

Of Note

• With a win the Mavs would move into a second place tie in the West with Memphis and Portland.
• The Bulls are currently without starters Joakim Noah and Mike Dunleavy, both with sprained ankles.
• The Mavs are 16-4 against the East but are 5-4 at home compared to 11-0 on the road.
• The Bulls had lost 6 out of 8 before thumping the Spurs at home by a 104-81 score, last night.
• After making only 10-36 (28%) threes in 14 December games, Dirk has made 14-31 (45%) in 9 January games.

Mavericks 98 Timberwolves 75: Game 43 Recap

The Lead
Mavs take care of business, as Parsons' big second quarter leads to a road rout of lowly Minnesota.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Parsons, 22
Rebounds: Powell, 10
Assists: Barea, 10
+-: Barea, +19
Wolves
Points: Wiggins, 18
Rebounds: Young, 11
Assists: Young, 6
+-: Robinson, 0

Game Ball
Chandler Parsons
22 points, 9-13 FG, 4-6 3PT

X-Factor
Dwight Powell
6 points, 10 rebounds, 3-3 FG

Goat Horns
Mo Williams
5 points, 2-12 FG, 0-4 3PT

Play of the Game
Midway through the third quarter, Rajon Rondo unleashes one of his trademark pass fakes as he fools the entire Wolves team by faking the pass to Dirk, only to take it in to the basket for the uncontested layup.

Stat of the Game
The story of this game could be found the shooting numbers for each team. The Mavs shot 51% from the field and 41% on threes while Minnesota shot 35% from the field and 13% on threes.

Of Note

• The Mavs improved to 3013, good for 4th place in the West and only 1 game behind second place Portland.
• Chandler Parsons scored 13 of his game high 22 points in the second quarter, as the Mavs outscored the Wolves 35-17 for the period.
• Reigning Western Conference Player of the Week Mo Williams, who scored 52 points in a game last week, was held to 5 points on 2-12 shooting.
• All 13 Mavs who played put points on the board.
• Minnesota scored 21 points or less in every quarter.

Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: A+
Chandler: A-
Ellis: C
Rondo: B
Powell: A
Harris: B+
Jefferson: B-
Barea: A
Aminu: A-

Quote of Note
"The world we're living in here in the West, this is advance citizenship. You've got to want it bad to win games every night. That's where we're at, and we've got to have a laser-like focus on that."
Rick Carlisle

They Tweeted It
 

rondo'd https://t.co/k8O4X19OXo
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) January 22, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (30-13), make another brief stop home to take on the Chicago Bulls (27-16), Friday at 7:00.

Mavericks at Timberwolves: Game 43 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (29-13) at Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33)
Wed. Jan. 21, 7:00 at the Target Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 8.5

2014-15 Matchups
Nov. 15 at Dallas
Mavs 131 Wolves 117 

All-Time Series
Mavs 59 Wolves 44

Team Stats
Mavs
Offense: 110.7 (1st)
Defense: 103.4 (16th)
Point Differential: +6.0
Wolves
Offense: 99.2 (25th)
Defense: 109.9 (30th)
Point Differential: -9.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Wolves
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Robbie Hummel
PF: Thaddeus Young
C: Gorgui Dieng

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.3
RPG: Chandler, 12,3
APG: Rondo, 7.6
PER: Chandler, 21.4
Win Shares: Chandler, 6.1
Wolves
PPG: Wiggins, 15.1
RPG: Dieng, 8.3
APG: Williams, 6.5
PER: Muhammad, 19.7
Win Shares: Dieng, 2.9

Of Note

• The Mavs are 6-3 this month, with a schedule that has been heavy with road games. One of the losses came in Denver without Dirk, Tyson and Rondo.
• The Wolves have been without Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic since early in the season due to injuries, but both are questionable to return for Wednesday's game. Ricky Rubio is also getting close to returning but is still listed as out.
• The game will be a matchup of the Mavs' league leading offense with a rating of 110.7 against Minnesota's league worst defense with a 109.9 rating.
• Dirk has really hit a groove of late, scoring over 20 points in 4 out of his last 5 games and making 9 out of his last 17 threes.
• #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has had a fantastic 2015 so far, scoring 21 points per game in 10 games in January while shooting 48% from the field and 39% on threes.

Mavericks 103 Grizzlies 95: Game 42 Recap

The Lead
The Mavs finish strong led by Dirk's clutch scoring to register their best win of the year to start the season's second half.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Ellis, 25
Rebounds: Chandler, 16
Assists: Ellis, 7
+-: Harris, +15
Grizzlies
Points: Conley, 22
Rebounds: Randolph, 15
Assists: Gasol, Conley, 4
+-: Calathes, +2

Game Ball
Dirk Nowitzki
21 points, 6 rebounds, 7-13 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5-5 FT

X-Factor
Tyson Chandler
10 points, 16 rebounds, 3-6 FG, 4-5 FT

Goat Horns
Tony Allen
4 points, 1-3 FG, 3 fouls

Play of the Game
With 1:20 to go Monta Ellis finds a cutting Dirk for a layup to put the Mavs up 6. It would be 2 of the 8 straight points that Dirk scored to finish the game.

Stat of the Game
The Mavs took big advantage of their edge in perimeter shooting over Memphis by hitting 10-25 threes while holding the Grizzlies to only 3-22.

Of Note

• The win was only the Mavs second all year against one of the West's top eight teams, and their first on the road.
• Dallas climbed to within a half game of the Grizzlies for the Southwest Division lead.
• After Mike Conley's three gave the Grizzlies their first lead since early in the first quarter at 91-89, the Mavs would outscore Memphis 14-4 to finish the game.
• The Mavericks more than held their own on the boards against the Grizzlies size and bulk, as both teams grabbed 42 rebounds led by Tyson Chandler's 16.
• Former Mav Vince Carter was held scoreless in 9 minutes, missing his shots two shots from the field which were both threes.

Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: B-
Chandler: A
Ellis: A
Rondo: C+
Harris: A
Powell: B+
Jefferson: A-
Barea: C
Aminu: B

Quote of Note
"I love Dirk seeing the ball go through the basket, because I know when he gets on a roll, he's on a roll. It was good to see him hit some crunch-time baskets because I know he was on himself before that."
Tyson on Dirk


They Tweeted It

Looks a lot like 2011 Mavs here in crunch time. Dirk dominating on offense, Tyson Chandler doing work on defense.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 20, 2015

Next Up
The Mavericks (29-13) head north to face red-hot rookie Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33), Wednesday at 7:00.

Mavericks at Grizzlies: Game 42 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (28-13) at Memphis Grizzlies (29-11)
Mon. Jan. 19, 4:00 at the FedEx Forum
TV: FSSW, NBATV
Line:

2014-15 Matchups
Dec. 9 at Memphis
Grizzlies 114 Mavs 105 

All-Time Series
Mavs 55 Grizzlies 20

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 110.6 (1st)
Def. Rating: 103.6 (16th)
Point Differential: +6.0
Grizzlies
Offense: 105.4 (10th)
Defense: 102.0 (11th)
Point Differential: +4.1

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Grizzlies
PG: Mike Conley or Beno Udrih
SG: Courtney Lee
SF: Tony Allen
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.2
RPG: Chandler, 12.2
APG: Rondo, 8.1
PER: Chandler, 21.4
Win Shares: Chandler, 5.9
Grizzlies
PPG: Gasol, 19.2
RPG: Randolph, 11.8
APG: Conley, 6.1
PER: Gasol, 22.4
Win Shares: Gasol, 5.2

Of Note

• The Mavs have dropped 7 out of their last 8 games in Memphis.
• Mike Conley is questionable with a sprained right ankle.
• The Mavericks will look to improve on their 1-8 record against the West's top 8 teams. 6 out of the 8 losses have come on the road.
• Newly acquired Grizzlies forward Jeff Green has scored 53 points in two games against the Mavs this year while with Boston.
• A win would pull Dallas to within a half of a game of Mempis for the Southwest Division lead. Houston is currently tied with the Mavs for second place.

 

Mavericks 97 Nuggets 89: Game 41 Recap

The Lead
Dirk's hot start leads to a wire-to-wire win as the Mavs split their two games in a row against Denver.

Box Score 

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Nowitzki, 25
Rebounds: Chandler, 16
Assists: Rondo, 8
+-: Nowitzki, Chandler, +16
Nuggets
Points: Afflalo, 16
Rebounds: Hickson, 14
Assists: Lawson, 12
+-: Hickson, +8

Game Ball
Dirk Nowitzki
25 points, 9 rebounds, 8-18 FG, 4-5 3PT

X-Factor
Chandler Parsons
18 points, 7 rebounds, 6-11 FG, 5-6 FT

Goat Horns
Jusuf Nurkic
2 points, 1-7 FG

Play of the Game
Midway through the third quarter, Chandler Parsons drove to the basket and dunked ferociously right on J.J. Hickson for a poster slam.

Stat of the Game
The Mavericks took advantage of a Denver team that allows the most free throws in the league by making 23-29 from the line.  Meanwhile the Nuggets went only 12-25 on their free throws.

Of Note

• The Mavericks finished the first half of the season with a 28-13 record, their best mark after 41 games since they were also 28-13 in 2007-08.
• The Mavericks got off to a 13-2 lead to start the game led by Dirk scoring the team's first 10 points including hitting 2 threes.
• After an 11 point game in Denver, Dwight Powell saw action as the backup center, scoring 4 points and recording 2 steals in 14 minutes.
• Rajon Rondo's return to lineup was felt as helped hold Ty Lawson to 3-13 shooting including 1-10 in the first three quarters.
• After being baldy outrebounded of late including in Wednesday's game, the Mavs tied the rebounding battle at 52 apiece led by 16 boards by Tyson Chandler.
• Former Mav Jameer Nelson had 14 points and 7 assists in his first game for the Nuggets since being traded from Boston.

Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: A-
Chandler: A
Ellis: B-
Rondo: B
Harris: C+
Aminu: B+
Powell: B
Barea: B
Jefferson: C

Quote of Note
"It's one game. I still have to prove myself regardless of the situation. I'm just going to keep trying to work hard and show him that I'm working hard and bring full effort every time he gives me an opportunity."
Dwight Powell on entering the rotation.

They Tweeted It

dirk >>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://t.co/mMsQWO3vBP
— Lana Berry (@Lana) January 17, 2015

Next Up
The Mavs (28-13) hit the road again for a MLK day matinee on Monday, against the division leading Grizzlies (28-11).

Mavericks vs. Nuggets: Game 41 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (27-13) vs. Denver Nuggets (18-20)
Fri.. Jan. 16, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 9


2014-15 Matchups
Jan. 14 at Denver
Nuggets 114 Mavs 107


All-Time Series
Mavs 80 Nuggets 76

Team Stats
Mavs
Offense: 110.9 (1st)
Defense: 103.8 (18th)
Point Differential: +6.0
Nuggets
Offense: 102.8 (17th)
Defense: 104.3 (20th)
Point Differential: -1.2

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Nuggets
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Jusuf Nurkic

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.4
RPG: Chandler, 12.1
APG: Rondo, 8.1
PER: Chandler, 21.5
Win Shares: Chandler, 5.7
Nuggets
PPG: Lawson, 17.0
RPG: Faried, 8.9
APG: Lawson, 10.1
PER: Nurkic, 19.2
Win Shares: Lawson, 3.8

Of Note

• The Mavs should have their full complement of players after resting Dirk, Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo on the second night of a back-to-back in Denver.
• The Mavericks have dropped 3 out of 4 games while the Nuggets have won 5 in a row.
• The Mavs and Nuggets also played each other in back-to-back games in November 2013, with the Nuggets taking both games.
• The Mavericks have lost 4 out of 5 and 6 out of 8 games to Denver.
• This is only one of four home game for the Mavs in January, with none coming back-to-back.