Mavericks at Suns: Game 1 Preview

Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns
Wed. Oct. 28, 9:00 at Talking Stick Resort Arena
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Suns by 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
Apr. 8 at Dallas
Mavs 107 Suns 104


All-Time Series
Suns 77 Mavs 67

Team Stats
Mavs (50-32)
Off. Rating: 109.5 (5th)
Def. Rating: 106.4 (20th)
Point Differential: +2.9
Suns (39-43)
Offense: 105.3 (16th)
Defense: 106.2 (17th)
Point Differential: -0.9

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Raymond Felton
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Suns
PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Brandon Knight
SF: P.J. Tucker
PF: Markieff Morris
C: Tyson Chandler

Of Note

• The Mavericks will be without Chandler Parsons (knee surgery) and JaVale McGee (tibial stress fracture).
• The Mavs get their first look at former teammate Tyson Chandler, who signed with the Suns early in the offseason when Dallas was courting DeAndre Jordan. 
• This is the the Mavs only trip to Phoenix this year. Since the teams only play 3 times this game could be key for a potential playoff tiebreaker. 
• Wesley Matthews will play in his first regular season game since tearing his Achilles on March 5 as he meets his target of being ready for opening day.
• Dallas is coming off a winless 0-7 preseason during which Dirk, Parsons, Matthews and Deron Williams combined to play a total of 5 games.