The Houston Rockets took a 2-0 series lead with another dominating performance against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2. Now that the series moves to Dallas, can the Mavs find a way to climb back into the series, or will Houston take a commanding 3-0 series lead?
Projected Starting Lineups
(2) Houston Rockets (56-26)
G Jason Terry – 7.0 ppg, 1.9 apg
G James Harden – 27.4 ppg, 7.0 apg, 5.7 rpg
F Trevor Ariza – 12.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg
F Terrance Jones – 11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg
C Dwight Howard – 15.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg
(7) Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
G J.J. Barea –7.5 ppg, 3.4 apg
G Monta Ellis – 18.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg
F Richard Jefferson – 5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg
F Dirk Nowitzki – 17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg
C Tyson Chandler – 10.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg
What to watch for:
How do the Mavs deal with their injuries?
Starters Rajon Rondo (back) and Chandler Parsons (knee) are out for the rest of the season, which is an extreme blow to Dallas' chances at coming back in the series. The Mavericks now need J.J. Barea, Richard Jefferson, and others to really step up if they want to win some games.
Will Dallas show any signs of life on defense?
Houston is averaging 114.5 points per game so far this series, the most of any team in the postseason. The Rockets absolutely shredded Dallas' defense in the second half of Game 2 as they threw numerous alley-oops and got to the rim whenever they wanted, a trend that they've been exploiting more and more as the series has gone on. They need to show some improvement - quickly - if they want to get back into the series.
Prediction: Rockets win 113-98
Dallas was hoping to regroup and get back into the series on their home court, but with the injuries to Rondo and Parsons, they won't win another game.
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