Mavericks vs. Rockets: WCQF Game 4 Preview

(7.) Dallas Mavericks vs. (2.) Houston Rockets
Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game 4
Rockets lead series 3-0
Sun. April 26, 8:00 at the AAC
TV: Ch. 21, TNT
Line: Rockets by 2.5

Series Results
Game 1: April 18 at Houston
Rockets 118 Mavs 108
Game 2: April 21 at Houston
Rockets 111 Mavs 99
Game 3: April 24 at Dallas
Rockets 130 Mavs 128

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: J.J. Barea
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Rockets
PG: Jason Terry
SG: James Harden
SF: Trevor Ariza
PF: Terrence Jones
C: Dwight Howard

Series Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 111.5 (4th)
Def. Rating: 119.5 (16th)
Pace: 100.1 (1st)
Point Differential: -8.0
Rockets
Offense: 119.5 (1st)
Defense: 111.5 (13th)
Pace: 100.1 (1st)
Point Differential: +8.0

Series Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 24.7
RPG: Chandler, 11.3
APG: Ellis, 5.3
SPG: Aminu, Ellis, 1.7
BPG: Aminu, 2.3
PER: Villanueva, 23.7
Rockets
PPG: Harden, 30.0
RPG: Howard, 14.3
APG: Harden, 8.7
SPG: Five with 1.0
BPG: Howard, 3.0
PER: Howard, 29.2

Of Note

• Raymond Felton (hamstring) is expected to play. Richard Jefferson (calf) is questionable.
• The Mavs are 2-1 all-time in game fours when they trail a series 3-0. They beat San Antonio in 2001 and Denver in 2009 and lost to OKC in 2012. They ended up losing the first two series in five games.
• The Mavericks 128 points in game 3 were the most by a team in a playoff loss since the Warriors fell to the Suns 140-133 in game 3 of the 1993 first round.
• Dirk's 34 points in game 3 were the most he has scored in a playoff game since he also scored 34 in Game 4 vs. the Thunder in 2012.
• Rick Carlisle was fined $25,000 for comments about the officiating in his postgame press conference.