Mavericks at Bocats: Game 53 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (31-21) at Charlotte Bobcats (22-29)
Jan. 10, 6:00 at the Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 3 1/2

2013-14 Matchups
Dec. 3 at Dallas
Mavs 89 Bobcats 82

All-Time Series
Mavs 17 Bobcats 1

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 4th (110.8)
Defense: 23rd (108.1)
Bobcats
Offense: 27th (100.7)
Defense: 6th (103.5)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Bobcats
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF: Josh McRoberts
C: Al Jefferson

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 21.9
RPG: Marion, 6.8
APG: Ellis, 5.7
PER: Nowitzki, 24.5
Bobcats
PPG: Jefferson, 20.0
RPG: Jefferson, 10.6
APG: Walker, 5.2
PER: Jefferson, 22.1

Notes
The Mavericks have won a season high 5 in a row, the last 4 game by double digits. It's the first time they have recorded 4 straight double digit wins since the 10-11 season. It is also the the first time the Mavs have been at least 10 games over .500 since the end of that same championship season. Dallas suffered their only all-time loss to the Bobcats in their last trip to Charlotte on Nov. 12, 2012 by a 101-97 score in overtime. Of course one Dirk Nowitzki missed that game due to injury. This will be the last time the Mavs will face the Charlotte franchise as the Bobcats. Starting next season they will be the Charlotte Hornets, the same name of the original Charlotte franchise that moved to New Orleans, and is now known as the Pelicans.