Mavericks vs. Cavaliers: Game 39 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (22-16) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (26-9)
Tues. Jan. 12, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Cavs by 6

2014-15 Matchups
Jan. 4 at Cleveland
Mavs 109 Cavs 90
Mar. 10 at Dallas
Cavs 127 Mavs 94

All-Time Series
Cavs 35 Mavs 32

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 105.3 (11th)
Def. Rating: 1045 (15th)
Point Differential: +0.8
Cavs
Offense: 108.2 (4th)
Defense: 101.3 (4th)
Point Differential: +6.5

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Chandler Parsons
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Zaza Pachulia
Cavs
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Love
C: Tristan Thompson




Team Leaders

Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 17.7
RPG: Pachulia, 10.8
APG: Williams, 5.5
PER: Nowitzki, 20.5
Cavs
PPG: James, 25.8
RPG: Love, 10.7
APG: James, 6.0
PER: James, 27.2

Of Note

• The Mavs last beast a LeBron James led team in Game 6 of the 2011 Finals. In the 7 games since LeBron has averaged 31.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists and shot 64% from the floor against Dallas.
• Tonight begins a brutal stretch for the Mavs where they play 4 straight against teams with winning percentages above 60%.
• Dirk has scored at least 20 points in the last 4 games, averaging 24 in those games and making a total of 12 threes.
• The Cavs have hit their stride of late with a healthy Kyrie Irving, winning 7 in a row and 13 out of 15.
• In the last 3 games, Zaza Pachulia has totaled 43 rebounds with 20 of those coming on the offensive end.