Nets @ Mavericks Game Preview
The Nets will look to end their road trip on a high note in a matchup with the Mavericks tonight in Dallas.
Brooklyn is coming off a shorthanded 117-103 loss to Houston on a record-setting night. The Nets and Rockets attempted 89 three-point shots, the most in a game in NBA history. The Nets were without Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the loss.
The loss dropped the Nets record to 7-13. The Nets have lost 11 of their last 15 games after starting 3-2. The injury bug has plagued Brooklyn thus far this season. Jeremy Lin and D'Angelo Russell both suffered knee injuries while a number of other players have battled lingering injuries.
Dallas, despite a 5-16 record, is playing very good basketball as of late. The Mavericks have won three of their last five after starting out 2-14. The two losses in that five-game span include an overtime loss to the Celtics and a seven-point loss to the Spurs.
DeMarre Carroll will play after missing the game in Houston with an illness. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Ankle) and Allen Crabbe (Lower Back) are Doubtful.
Nerlens Noel is questionable for Dallas.
Heres a look at how the two teams matchup:
Projected Starting Five
PG: Spencer Dinwiddie PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Joe Harris SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: DeMarre Carroll SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Trevor Booker PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyler Zeller C: Nerlens Noel
Team Leaders
PPG: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (14.3)
Assists: Spencer Dinwiddie (6.1)
Rebounds: DeMarre Carroll (6.8)
Blocks: Jarrett Allen (0.75)
Steals: Caris LeVert (1.3)
PPG: Harrison Barnes (18.9)
Assists: J.J. Barea (5.0)
Rebounds: Harrison Barnes (7.4)
Blocks: Salah Mejri (1.53)
Steals: Wesley Matthews (1.29)
Team Stats
PPG: 110.2 PPG: 99.2
OPP PPG: 113.7 OPP PPG: 104.5
APG: 22.3 APG: 21.0
TPG: 15.2 TPG: 14.0
3PM: 11.7 3PM: 11.8
3P%: 34.6 3P%: 35.4
Pace: 105.49 Pace: 98.26
Brooklyn will look to force a slow-paced Dallas team out of its comfort zone. The Nets rank second in the NBA in pace while the Mavericks rank sixth to last. Kenny Atkinson had the Nets play some zone defense against the Rockets. It will be interesting to see if Atkinson uses that again tonight.
Tune in at 8:30 p.m. on Yes Network for full coverage of tonight's game.