Mavericks at Nuggets: Game 40 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (27-12) at Denver Nuggets (17-20)
Wed. Jan. 14, 8:00 at the Pepsi Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Pick 'em

2013-14 Matchups
Nov. 23 at Denver
Nuggets 102 Mavs 100
Nov. 25 at Dallas
Nuggets 110 Mavs 96
Mar. 5 at Denver
Nuggets 115 Mavs 110
Mar. 21 at Dallas
Mavs 122 Nuggets 106

All-Time Series
Mavs 80 Nuggets 75

Team Stats
Mavs
Offense: 111.2 (1st)
Defense: 103.6 (18th)
Point Differential: +6.3
Nuggets
Offense: 102.5 (18th)
Defense: 104.4 (21st)
Point Differential: -1.4

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Nuggets
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Jusuf Nurkic

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.7
RPG: Chandler, 12.1
APG: Rondo, 8.1
PER: Chandler, 21.5
Win Shares: Chandler, 5.7
Nuggets
PPG: Lawson, 16.7
RPG: Faried, 8.7
APG: Lawson, 10.0
PER: Nurkic, 19.6
Win Shares: Lawson, 3.6


Of Note

• The Nuggets are the last team in the West the Mavs have yet to face the season. The only other team they haven't played yet is Orlando.
• Monta Ellis last night was the first Mav with at least 28 points and 10 assists in a road game since Steve Nash in Jan. 2002.
• The Mavericks are 6-2 on the second night of a back-to-back this season, good for the second best record in the league.
• Denver has won 4 games in a row and been off since last Friday.
• The Mavericks, Rockets and Grizzlies are all within a half game of each other for first place in the Southwest Division.