Mavericks at Blazers: Game 5 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (3-1) at Portland Trail Blazers (2-2)
Thurs. Nov. 6, 9:30 at the Moda Center
TV: TNT
Line: Blazers by 3

2013-14 Matchups
Dec. 7 at Portland
Mavs 108 Blazers 106
Jan. 18 at Dallas
Blazers 127 Mavs 111
March 7 at Dallas
Mavs 103 Blazers 98

All-Time Series
Blazers 75 Mavs 64

Team Ratings
Mavs
Offense: 120.0 (1st)
Defense: 112.7 (28th)
Point Differential: +6.8
Blazers
Offense: 106.8 (14th)
Defense: 1008 (9th)
Point Differential:  +5.6


Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Blazers
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Robin Lopez

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 20.8
RPG: Chandler, 8.8
APG: Ellis, 5.3
PER: Wright, 33.4
Win Shares: Nowitzki, Wright, 0.6
Blazers
PPG: Aldridge, 22.8
RPG: Lopez, 8.0
APG: Batum, 5.0
PER: Aldridge, 22.2
Win Shares: Matthews, Lillard, 0.6

Of Note

•  The Mavericks current offensive rating of 120.0 would rank as the best in NBA history.
• The Mavs have won 4 out of their last 5 and 6 out of their last 8 against Portland.
• Dirk Nowitzki has made at least 63.6% of his shots in three out of four games this season. He went 7-11 vs San Antonio, 9-13 vs. Utah and 9-14 vs Boston.
•  In 26 career games against his hometown team, LaMarucs Aldridge has averaged 22.2 points and 8.9 rebounds on .514% shooting.
• The Blazers are one of only two playoff teams from last year that the Mavs will face in a nine game stretch that they are in the middle of. The other team they will face is the Heat on Sunday.
• The Mavs won on their only trip last year to Portland thanks to a Monta Ellis buzzer-beating jumper.