Dallas Mavericks vs San Antonio Spurs

(19-8)                            (17-10)

Start Time: 8:30 PM EST

TV Channel: Local/League Pass

Preview: After recently acquiring Rajon Rondo from Boston, the Dallas Mavericks have moved up from a ‘good team’ to now an ‘elite team’. Rondo is as good as they come in terms of Point Guards in the NBA, and will automatically help the Mavericks win. So far this season, Rajon is averaging 8.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, & 10.8 APG and will join a Dallas line-up which already includes an elite scorer in Monta Ellis, a terrific rebounder in Tyson Chandler, and of course a future Hall of Famer with Dirk Nowitzki. Right now San Antonio hasn’t looked strong and are coming off a game last night which included their second straight game that lasted three overtimes which will obviously play into some fatigue for the defending champs. Also, Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker are once again doubtful for tonight’s game after missing the last few due to various injuries. If the Spurs want to shock the Mavs in Monta’s first game with a Dallas jersey, they are going to need guys like Boris Diaw to step up and produce big numbers in a much needed victory for San Antonio.

Prediction: I believe the Mavericks will pull of the win tonight in front of their home crowd on a night where there should be a very warm welcoming for newly acquired All-Star, Rajon Rondo. The Mavs starting five will be too hard for the Spurs to handle as they are missing some key defenders in Parker and especially Kawhi Leonard who was part of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last year.

Points Per Game Leaders:

DAL – Monta Ellis (20.6 PPG) SAS – Tony Parker (16.0 PPG)

Rebounds Per Game Leaders:

DAL – Tyson Chandler (11.5 RPG) SAS – Tim Duncan (11.0 RPG)

Assists Per Game Leaders:

DAL – Monta Ellis (4.7 APG) SAS – Tony Parker (5.3 APG)