Cleveland snapped a three-game losing streak with a 91-87 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, and are looking to start another winning streak.
Dallas has won four games in a row, including a 119-101 victory in point guard Rajon Rondo's return to Boston.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (19-14)
G Kyrie Irving – 20.9 ppg, 5.3 apg
G Matthew Dellavedova – 4.1 ppg, 2.8 apg
F Mike Miller – 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
F Kevin Love – 17.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg
C Tristan Thompson– 9.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Dallas Mavericks (24-10)
G Rajon Rondo – 15.4 ppg, 7.4 apg
G Monta Ellis – 20.7 ppg, 4.5 apg
F Chandler Parsons – 16.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg
F Dirk Nowitzki - 18.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg
C Tyson Chandler – 10.7 ppg, 12.1 rpg
What to watch for:
Rajon Rondo vs. Kyrie Irving
This matchup features two of the best point guards in the league, so naturally it'll be one to watch all afternoon. Rondo has exploited Irving's suspect defense in the past, and with Dallas' multitude of weapons, he could take over this game if he can consistently get into the paint and make plays.
On the flip side, Cleveland will be relying on Irving to carry more of the load offensively with LeBron James. Look for him to try and wear our Rondo on that end of the floor.
Kevin Love vs. Mavs Frontcourt
Love will also have to step up offensively with LeBron out, and the Cavs are planning to feed him the ball a lot. He put up 27 points against the Hornets in his last outing, and he'll have plenty of opportunities to have another good game today. Dallas' big men aren't great defensively, but Parsons, Nowitzki, and Chandler can all guard Love on the perimeter and in the post. Love has to have a great game for the Cavs to have a chance to win.
Prediction: Mavs win 127-101
Cleveland has been struggling for the past few weeks, and they've obviously dropped to another level without LeBron James. Meanwhile, Dallas has risen to one of the best teams in the league, and are as hot as anyone with Rondo running the show. With these two teams going in opposite directions, I don't expect this one to be close.
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