The Dallas Mavericks (15-6) had a five-game winning streak snapped on Friday in a 118-106 home loss to the Phoenix Suns. They'll look to get back on track at the American Airlines Center on Sunday against a Milwaukee Bucks squad (11-10) that is one of the feel-good stories of the 2014-15 NBA campaign so far.
Projected Starting Lineups
Milwaukee Bucks
PG: Brandon Knight – 17.7 ppg, 5.8 apg, 4.8 rpg
SG: O.J. Mayo – 10.7 ppg, 3.3 apg
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg
PF: Jabari Parker – 12.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg
C: Larry Sanders – 7.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Dallas Mavericks
PG: Jameer Nelson – 7.5 ppg, 4.3 apg
SG: Monta Ellis – 21.3 ppg, 4.6 apg
SF: Chandler Parsons– 14.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg
PF: Dirk Nowitzki –19.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg
C: Tyson Chandler – 11.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg
What to Watch For:
Monta Ellis is absolutely on fire
The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of offensive weapons at their disposal, but none more deadly over the past week or so than shooting guard Monta Ellis. Ellis has averaged 28.4 points over his last five contests, including eclipsing the 30-point mark on three occasions. The Bucks will need to key in on Ellis, who drained a fadeaway jumper in the Mavs' 107-105 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Kendall Marshall slotting into his role nicely in Milwaukee
Former Los Angeles Laker Kendall Marshall has been a revelation backing up Brandon Knight at point guard this season. After Knight was limited to just 20-plus minutes in Friday's 109-85 win over the Miami Heat due to foul trouble, Marshall came in and scored a career-high 20 off the pine.
With Marshall finding his confidence, the Bucks appear set at the point as they look to climb up the ladder in the Eastern Conference.
Prediction: Mavs win 107-101
The Milwaukee Bucks are better than most think, and can definitely give the Dallas Mavericks another run for their money on Sunday. However, after a sobering loss to Phoenix, bank on Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs to have a bounce-back effort in front of their home faithful.
Back to the Dallas Mavericks Newsfeed