As the Dallas Mavericks look to rebuild, the Houston Rockets aim to regroup and get back to their winning ways when the two Texas rivals meet in Dallas tonight.
The Rockets (21-18) have dropped four straight after winning 10 of their last 12 games, giving up 103.7 points to opponents since Jan. 9, and are coming off a 117-109 loss to the L.A. Clippers without Chris Paul on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks (16-23) have struggled this season, but are turning it around with a three-game winning streak, through they have lost six of their last 10 games. This could be the last time the Rockets play the Mavericks as they currently exist, as Dallas owner Mark Cuban said this week that the Rockets would be entertaining trade offers for most of the team.
The last time these two teams met on Dec. 8 in Houston, O.J. Mayo torched the Rockets for 40 points as Dallas rolled to a 116-109 win.
With both teams in the Top 10 among highest-scoring NBA teams (Houston No.1 with 105.5 points per game and Dallas ranked tenth with 99.4 points each night), this should be a shootout tonight when the two clash at 8 p.m. EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Latinos post breaks down the key match-ups for Wednesday night's game:
Power forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks vs. Patrick Patterson, Rockets
Patrick Patterson is back. After missing time a month ago due to injury, Patterson has been re-inserted into the starting lineup after performing well off the bench, switching places with reserve-turned-forward Marcus Morris. Patterson looked rusty in his first night back in the starter's spot, getting only five shots and scoring five points, but he has youth and agility on his side.
Meanwhile, Nowitzki, having just come off knee surgery, has been gradually working his way back to form, averaging 15.8 points in his last five contests. He only scored 10 points against Minnesota on Monday, but Nowitzki remains one of the greatest forwards in league history and can easily dominate a game. Patterson will have to work double-time on the defensive end tonight.
Advantage: Mavericks
Small forward: Shawn Marion, Mavericks vs. Chandler Parsons, Rockets
The 34-year-old Marion's production has fallen off this season from his stellar career averages of 16.2 points. However, he was scoring in double digits in three of the last five games, including back-to-back 19- and 20-point performances on Jan. 10 and 12. If he gets into a shooting rhythm, Dallas could get something going.
Parsons, 24, looks like he's starting to feel it, scoring 17 points Houston's 117-109 loss to the Clippers on Tuesday. He's been red-hot in the last five games, averaging 17.2 points on 54.0 percent shooting. And he scored 18 points against Dallas when the two teams last met on If the younger, faster Parsons can get it going tonight against Marion, Houston's top-ranked offense will be that much harder for Dallas to start.
Advantage: Rockets
Center: Chris Kaman, Mavericks vs. Omer Asik, Rockets
Kaman started out the season on fire, but has cooled since then, netting only 10.6 points in the last five games. Against Houston on Dec. 8, the Mavs' seven-foot big man had a big night, scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Asik, the Rockets' own seven-footer, is averaging double figures in both scoring and rebounds this season, but has seen his scoring dip to the single digits in the last 10 games. A valuable interior defender, Asik will need to keep Kaman, who has scored high in the past, in check, as well as double-up on Nowitzki and clog the lane.
Advantage: Even
Shooting Guard: O.J. Mayo, Mavericks vs. James Harden, Rockets
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a showdown as two of the best shooting guards in the West clash in Dallas.
Mayo was on fire against Houston on Dec. 8 with his 40 points on 57.7 percent shooting that night. In an inconsistent season for Dallas, Mayo has been the Mavs' most reliable scorer, netting 17.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting in the last five contests.
He'll have his hands full tonight trying to coral Harden, who lit up Dallas with 39 points on Dec. 8. One of the most dangerous scorers in the league right now, much of Houston's offense rides on Harden. But he'll need to keep his turnovers in check (he turned over the ball five times against the Clippers Tuesday).
Whoever can contribute the most for his team may likely decide the game.
Advantage: Even
Point Guard: Clippers vs. Jeremy Lin, Rockets
Collison has picked it up in scoring, averaging 15.4 points on 52.9 percent shooting in the last five games, and is coming off a 23-point Monday night against the Timberwolves.
Lin had a strong night with 12 points and 10 assists on Tuesday, but has been in an odd pattern of late where he scores in double figures one game and has an off-night the next. Coming off Tuesday's game, Lin needs to build some momentum and aggressively attack the basket.
Advantage: Even
Bench: Elton Brand, Jae Crowder, Vince Carter, Mavericks vs. Carlos Delfino, Marcus Morris, Toney Douglas
Brand, who scored 20 points against Minnesota on Monday, isn't the dominant scoring force he once was, but he can provide a big spark offensively for Dallas. Carter adds a shooter's touch while the rookie Crowder adds a young, strong body as support for the Mavs.
Delfino continues to be a threat off the bench, scoring 16 points on Tuesday. Morris, who had a respectable run filling in for Patterson in the starting lineup, should add a new, more confident scorer to Houston's reserves arsenal and Douglas can get it done in the point guard role.
Advantage: Even
Game time starts at 8 p.m. EST. Live score is available via TV Companion, here.
Live Streaming for the Game is can be seen via ESPN. (Service Provider Required)
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