Mavericks at Rockets: Game 28 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (15-12) at Houston Rockets (18-10)
Dec. 23, 7:00 at the Toyota Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Rockets by 5

2013-14 Matchups
Nov. 1 at Houston
Rockets 113 Mavs 105
Nov. 20 at Dallas
Mavs 123 Rockets 120

All-Time Series
Rockets 80 Mavs 77

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 8th (108.0)
Defense: 20th (106.8)
Rockets
Offense: 3rd (109.1)
Defense: 14th (104.8)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: DeJuan Blair
Rockets
PG: Jeremy Lin
SG: Francisco Garcia
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Terrence Jones
C: Dwight Howard

Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 21.0
RPG: Marion, 7.2
APG: Ellis, 5.9
PER: Nowitzki, 23.2
Rockets
PPG: Harden, 23.9
RPG: Howard, 13.2
APG: Harden, 5.6
PER: Howard, 22.7

Notes
James Harden is out for tonight's game with a high ankle sprain. Jeremy Lin however will return to the lineup after being out with back spasms. Also out for Houston are Patrick Beverly and Omer Asik. Dirk Nowitzki needs 14 points to pass Alex English for 13th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. In the Mavs 123-120 win over the Rockets on Nov. 20, they made 13 straight shots from the field in overcoming an 18 point deficit.