Mavericks vs. Clippers: Game 73 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (43-29) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (50-22)
Mar. 27, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Clippers by 1

2013-14 Matchups

Jan. 3 at Dallas
Clippers 119 Mavs 112
Jan. 15 at LA
Clippers 129 Mavs 127

All-Time Series
Mavs 85 Clippers 51

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 4th (111.0)
Defense: 23rd (108.4)
Clippers
Offense: 1st (111.7)
Defense: 8th (104.3)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Clippers
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Darren Collison
SF: Matt Barnes
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 21.4
RPG: Marion, Dalembert, 6.6
APG: Ellis, 5.7
PER: Nowitzki, 23.3
Clippers
PPG: Griffin, 24.4
RPG: Jordan, 13.7
APG: Paul, 10.9
PER: Paul, 26.1

Notes
In their two games against the Clippers this year the Mavs have blown leads of 13 and 17 points. Chris Paul separated his shoulder in the first game and missed the second game. In his last four games Samuel Dalembert has collected 46 rebounds, half of which have been on the offensive end. J. J. Redick has been practicing recently for the Clippers, but is still out with a bulging disc in his back. If the Mavs do somehow manage to face-off against the Clippers in the playoffs, it will be the first time in franchise history the two franchises would meet in  a playoff series. The Clippers are the only Western Conference team Dallas has yet face in the playoffs.