Mavericks at Rockets: Game 46 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (25-20) at Houston Rockets (23-22)
Sun. Jan. 24, 2:30 at the Toyota Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Rockets by 1.5


2015-16 Matchups
Nov. 14 at Houston
Mavs 110 Rockets 98
Dec. 4 at Dallas
Rockets 100 Mavs 96

All-Time Series 
Rockets 85 Mavs 80

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 102.8 (12th)
Def. Rating: 102.2 (14th)
Point Differential: 0.0
Rockets
Offense: 103.9 (7th)
Defense: 105.4 (23rd)
Point Differential: -1.0


Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Rockets
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: James Harden
SF: Corey Brewer
PF: Trevor Ariza
C: Clint Capela

Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.7
RPG: Pachulia, 10.7
APG: Williams, 5.6
PER: Nowitzki, 19.7
Rockets
PPG: Harden, 27.6
RPG: Howard, 12.1
APG: Harden, 6.9
PER: Harden, 24.3

Of Note

• Former Rocket Chandler Parsons is coming of his two highest scoring games of the season. He scored 30 against Minnesota on Wednesday and followed it up with 26 against the Thunder on Friday.
• Dwight Howard is unlikely to play for the Rockets because of a sprained ankle. The Rockets do expect Patrick Beverley back who has missed 3 out of the last 4 games with his sprained ankle.
• The Mavericks won in their last visit to Houston in November despite resting Dirk, Parsons and Wesley Matthews.
• After 3 straight games where they failed to break 90 points, the Mavs have scored at least 106 in their last 3 contests.
• Mavs nemesis Josh Smith returned to the Rockets in a trade from the Clippers on Friday. He had 2 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists on 1-10 shooting in Houston's win over Milwaukee that night.