Mavericks vs. Suns: Game 78 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (46-31) vs. Phoenix Suns (39-39)
Wed. Apr. 8, 8:30 at the AAC
TV: Ch. 21, ESPN
Line: Mavs by 8.5

20-14-15 Matchups
Dec. 5 at Dallas
Suns 118 Mavs 106
Dec. 23 at Phoenix
Suns 124 Mavs 115
Mar. 22 at Phoenix
Suns 98 Mavs 92

All-Time Series
Suns 77 Mavs 66

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 106.9 (5th)
Def. Rating: 103.5 (18th)
Point Differential: +2.9
Suns
Offense: 103.5 (13th)
Defense: 103.1 (16th)
Point Differential: -0.4


Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Chandler Parsons or Richard Jefferson
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Suns
PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: P.J. Tucker
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Markieff Morris
C: Brandan Wright


Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 19.1
RPG: Chandler, 11.4
APG: Rondo, 6.5
PER: Stoudemire, 21.6
Win Shares: Chandler, 9.5
Suns
PPG: Bledsoe, 17.2
RPG: Len, 6.6
APG: Bledsoe, 6.0
PER: Bledsoe, 18.7
Win Shares: Bledsoe, 6.9

Of Note

• Thanks to the Thunder's loss to the Spurs on Tuesday, the Mavericks clinched their 14th playoff appearance in 15 years. A win would lock the Mavs into the 7th seed in the West.  
• Chandler Parsons missed pratice Tuesday due to his sore knee and is questionable. Both Rajon Rondo (knee) and Richard Jefferson (toe) practiced and are expected to play.
• Both Brandon Knight (heel) and Alex Len (broken nose) are out for the Suns.
• The Suns are the only West team other than Golden State that the Mavs have yet to beat this season.
• Brandan Wright will play his first game in Dallas since being traded by the Mavs in the Rondo deal on Dec. 18. He has averaged 12.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in his last three games, all starts.

The Bonus
All-Time Mavs and Suns Team
G: Steve Nash
G: Jason Kidd 
F: Michael Finley
F: Shawn Marion
C: Amare Stoudemire
Coach: John MacLeod