Mavericks at Bucks: Game 20 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (14-5) at Milwaukee Bucks (10-9)
Wed. Dec. 3, 7:30 at the Bradley Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 4.5

2013-14 Matchups
Nov. 9 at Milwaukee
Mavs 91 Bucks 83
Dec. 14 at Dallas
Mavs 106 Bucks 93

All-Time Series
Bucks 37 Mavs 28

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 115.7 (1st)
Def. Rating: 106.6 (16th)
Point Differential: +8.7
Bucks
Offense: 102.7 (24th)
Defense: 104.1 (8th)
Point Differential: -1.3

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Bucks
PG: Brandon Knight
SG: O.J. Mayo
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF: Jabari Parker
C: Larry Sanders

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.6
RPG: Chandler, 11.4
APG: Ellis, Harris, 4.6
PER: Wright, 26.9
Win Shares: Chandler, 3.0
Bucks
PPG: Knight, 17.5
RPG: Sanders, 6.5
APG: Knight, 6.0
PER: Knight, 19.2
Win Shares: Knight, 1.8

Of Note

• The Mavs are 5-0 on the road against the East and have beaten all three division leaders.
• The Bucks led by new coach Jason Kidd, have been the biggest surprise in the league so far. Last year they were a team that was a league worst 15-67 and  now are above .500 at 10-9.
• The game features two shooting guards who were essentially traded for each other even though they were free agents. Let's just say the Mavs have gotten the better end of the Monta Ellis-O.J. Mayo swap.
• It's been pretty simple for the Mavs so far. They are 14-0 when scoring at least 105 points and 0-5 when they don't.
• The biggest reason for the Bucks turnaround has been a defense that has gone from worst in the league last season to 8th so far this year.