Mavericks at Pacers: Game 54 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (31-22) at Indiana Pacers (40-11)
Wed. Feb. 12, 6:00 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Pacers by 9

2012-13 Matchups
Nov. 16 at Indiana
Pacers 103 Mavs 83
Mar. 28 at Dallas
Pacers 103 Mavs 78

All-Time Series
Mavs 37 Pacers 26

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 4th (110.6)
Defense: 24th (108.5)
Pacers
Offense: 17th (105.4)
Defense: 1st (96.4)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Pacers
PG: George Hill
SG: Lance Stephenson
SF: Paul George
PF: David West
C: Roy Hibbert

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 21.8
RPG: Marion, 6.8
APG: Ellis, 5.7
PER: Nowitzki, 24.6
Pacers
PPG: George, 22.4
RPG: Hibbert, 7.7
APG: Stephenson, 5.2
PER: George, 20.7

Notes
Despite spraining his ankle in last night's game, Dirk Nowitzki is expected to play tonight. In their two blowout losses to Indiana last year the Mavs outscored the Pacers by one point in the first half but were outscored by 46 points in the second half. Rick Carlisle spent 4 seasons as head coach of the Pacers (03-07), and has the second most wins (181) in the team's NBA history. The Pacers 96.4 defensive rating gives them a giant lead over 2nd place Chicago at 100.7.