Mavericks vs. Spurs: Game 28 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (19-8) vs. San Antonio Spurs (17-10)
Sat. Dec. 20, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: Ch. 21, NBALP
Line:

2014-15 Matchups
Oct. 28 at San Antonio
Spurs 101 Mavs 100

All-Time Series
Spurs 97 Mavs 64

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 113.6 (1st)
Def. Rating: 105.1 (20th)
Point Differential: +7.4
Spurs
Offense: 105.5 (10th)
Defense: 98.6 (3rd)
Point Differential: +5.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Spurs
PG: Cory Joseph
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kyle Anderson
PF: Boris Diaw
C: Matt Bonner

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.6
RPG: Chandler, 11.5
APG: Ellis, 4.7
PER: Chandler, 22.5
Win Shares: Chandler, 3.9
Spurs
PPG: Parker, 16.0
RPG: Duncan, 11.0
APG: Parker, 5.3
PER: Duncan, 22.1
Win Shares: Green, 2.7


Of Note

• The big story of course is the Mavs debut of Rajon Rondo. Rondo, who was acquired in a trade from Boston on Thrursday arrived in Dallas on Friday afternoon. Both Rondo and Rick Carlisle said that Rondo will play in Saturday's game.
• Who will play for the Spurs is very much in the air. After a triple overtime game on Wednesday and amazingly another triple overtime Friday night game against Portland (both losses), Gregg Popovich might elect to rest key players including Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Kawhi Leonard (bruised right hand) and Tony Parker (strained left hamstring) have already been ruled out with injuries.
• The Mavs have lost 10 straight regular season games to the Spurs including a one point loss on opening night. They did of course beat the Spurs three times in the two teams playoff series last season.
• With Brandan Wright shipped out to Boston, expect Greg Smith to get most of the backup center minutes. Smith has only played 68 minutes in 14 games so far this year.
• As for Rondo, in his last four games at the AAC he has averaged 14.3 points, 12.3 assists and 10 rebounds per game.