Mavericks at Timberwovles: Game 38 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (21-16) at Minnesota Timberwolves (12-25)
Sun.. Jan. 10, 4:00 at the Target Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 4 1/2

2014-15 Matchups
Nov. 15 at Dallas
Mavs 131 Wolves 117
Jan. 21 at Minnesota
Mavs 98 Wolves 75
Feb. 2 at Dallas
Mavs 100 Wolves 94

All-Time Series
Mavs 61 Wolves 44

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 105.3 (12th)
Def. Rating: 104.7 (15th)
Point Differential: +0.6
Wolves
Offense: 102.9 (26th)
Defense: 106.9 (21st)
Point Differential: -3.9

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Wolves
PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.4
RPG: Pachulia, 10.8
APG: Williams, 5.6
PER: Nowitzki, 20.1
Wolves
PPG: Wiggins, 20.6
RPG: Towns, 9.4
APG: Rubio, 8.9
PER: Towns, 21.7

Of Note

• The game time was changed from its original 2:30 start as to not conflict with the Vikings' home playoff game at noon.
• Chandler Parsons has really struggled with his outside shot of late, going 0-10 combined on threes in the last two games.
• In 36 carer head-to-head matchups between Dirk and fellow future hall of famer Kevin Garnett, the Mavs the have won 19 times. Dirk has averages of 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while Garnett has averaged 22.3 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists. The Mavs swept the Wolves 3-0 in the only playoff matchup between the two in 2002.
• Minnesota is the only West team the Mavs have yet to face this season.
• In the last two games, Devin Harris has 29 points in 45 minutes while shooting 11-20 from the field and 4-10 on threes.