Mavericks at Thunder: Game 67 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (39-27) at Oklahoma City Thunder (48-17)
Mar. 15, 6:00 at Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Thunder by 8

2013-14 Matchups

Nov. 6 at OKC
Thunder 107 Mavs 93

All-Time Series
Sonics/Thunder 72 Mavs 65

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 4th (110.7)
Defense: 23rd (108.6)
Thunder
Offense: 5th (110.4)
Defense: 5th (103.2)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Thunder
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Andre Roberson
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Steven Adams

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 21.5
RPG: Marion, 6.5
APG: Ellis, 5.8
PER: Nowitzki, 24.0
Thunder
PPG: Durant, 31.8
RPG: Ibaka, 8.9
APG: Westbrook, 7.1
PER: Durant, 30.3

Notes
The Mavericks have lost 11 in a row to the Thunder including the playoffs, with their last win over OKC coming 1-2-12 by a 100-87 score. The Mavs enter play in a tie with Memphis for 7th place in the West at 39-27. They hold the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies by winning the season series. Dallas is 1 1/2 games up on 9th place Phoenix. Kevin Durant is averaging a career high in points (31.8), assists (5.6) and PER (30.3), and is poised to win his first career MVP award. After this game the Mavs will have an eight game homestand and won't play again on the road until April 3 at the LA Clippers.