Mavericks vs. Rockets: Game 57 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (36-20) vs. Houston Rockets (36-17)
Fri.. Feb. 20, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 2

2014-15 Matchups
Nov. 22 at Houston
Rockets 95 Mavs 92
Jan. 28 at Houston
Rockets 99 Mavs 94

All-Time Series
Rockets 83 Mavs 78

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 109.0 (3rd)
Def. Rating: 102.8 (14th)
Point Differential: +5.0
Rockets
Offense: 103.8 (13th)
Defense: 100.3 (8th)
Point Differential: +3.3

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Rockets
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: James Harden
SF: Trevor Ariza
PF: Donatas Motiejunas
C: Joey Dorsey

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 19.5
RPG: Chandler, 11.9
APG: Rondo, 6.5
PER: Chandler, 21.2
Win Shares: Chandler, 8.0
Rockets
PPG: Harden, 27.4
RPG: Howard, 11.0
APG: Harden, 6.8
PER: Harden, 27.3
Win Shares: Harden, 11.1

Of Note

• Once again the Mavericks face Houston on the second night of a back-to-back. All four games between the teams this season have the Mavs in that situation.
• The Mavs have won 7 out of their last 8 home games against the Rockets although they did lose the last meeting at the AAC in January 2014.
• Dwight Howard is out indefinitely for the Rockets with a sprained knee.
• In his last two games Monta Ellis is only 3-19 from the field for 14 points. On the bright side he does have 13 steals.
• The Mavs have shot below 43% in  six straight games.