Mavericks at Timberwolves: Game 43 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (29-13) at Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33)
Wed. Jan. 21, 7:00 at the Target Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 8.5

2014-15 Matchups
Nov. 15 at Dallas
Mavs 131 Wolves 117 

All-Time Series
Mavs 59 Wolves 44

Team Stats
Mavs
Offense: 110.7 (1st)
Defense: 103.4 (16th)
Point Differential: +6.0
Wolves
Offense: 99.2 (25th)
Defense: 109.9 (30th)
Point Differential: -9.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Wolves
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Robbie Hummel
PF: Thaddeus Young
C: Gorgui Dieng

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.3
RPG: Chandler, 12,3
APG: Rondo, 7.6
PER: Chandler, 21.4
Win Shares: Chandler, 6.1
Wolves
PPG: Wiggins, 15.1
RPG: Dieng, 8.3
APG: Williams, 6.5
PER: Muhammad, 19.7
Win Shares: Dieng, 2.9

Of Note

• The Mavs are 6-3 this month, with a schedule that has been heavy with road games. One of the losses came in Denver without Dirk, Tyson and Rondo.
• The Wolves have been without Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic since early in the season due to injuries, but both are questionable to return for Wednesday's game. Ricky Rubio is also getting close to returning but is still listed as out.
• The game will be a matchup of the Mavs' league leading offense with a rating of 110.7 against Minnesota's league worst defense with a 109.9 rating.
• Dirk has really hit a groove of late, scoring over 20 points in 4 out of his last 5 games and making 9 out of his last 17 threes.
• #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has had a fantastic 2015 so far, scoring 21 points per game in 10 games in January while shooting 48% from the field and 39% on threes.