Mavericks vs. Lakers: Game 31 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (20-10) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (9-20)
Fri. Dec. 26, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 12.5

2014-15 Matchups
Nov. 21 at Dallas
Mavs 140 Lakers 106

All-Time Series
Lakers 104 Mavs 36

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 112.7 (1st)
Def. Rating: 105.0 (21st)
Point Differential: +6.4
Lakers
Offense: 104.0 (15th)
Defense: 110.2 (29th)
Point Differential: -6.9

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Lakers
PG: Ronnie Price
SG: Wayne Ellington
SF: Wesley Johnson
PF: Ed Davis
C: Jordan Hill

Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.9
RPG: Chandler, 11.9
APG: Rondo, 9.3
PER: Chandler, 22.4
Win Shares: Chandler, 4.5
Lakers
PPG: Bryant, 24.6
RPG: Hill, 8.3
APG: Bryant, Lin, 4.9
PER: Davis, 18.7
Win Shares: Davis, 2.0

Of Note

• Kobe Bryant, who has missed the Lakers last two games due to rest and general soreness, is unlikely to play. 
• Dirk is 6 points away from passing Elvin Hayes for 8th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
• The Mavs four game winning streak against the Lakers is their longest ever against them. They have won the four games by an average of 19.5 points.
• The Mavericks are looking to avoid their first three game losing streak of the season. They had only one such streak all of last last year.
• Coming off a stretch of playing the best basketball of his season, Chandler Parsons has only scored 11 points on 5-15 shooting in the last two games.
• Dallas is 7-0 against Western Conference teams that are outside of the top eight in the conference. 

Update: Dirk and Monta both missed shootaround due to illness and their status for tonight's game is to be determined.