Mavs-Rockets Rivalry Renewed In Playoffs Matchup
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The NBA Playoff field is set.
Dallas won its 50th game on Wednesday night for the first time since their title season of 2011. Their reward? The 7-seed and a first round matchup with the in-state Houston Rockets.
The two teams haven't met in the playoffs since the first round in 2005, when Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks beat the Yao Ming-led Rockets by 40 in a decisive Game 7.
Here's a look at the two teams ahead of Saturday's opening game in Houston.
SEASON SERIES: Rockets Win 3-1
Houston won the season series 3-1, but each of Houston's wins came by seven points or less. In fact, over 192 minutes, the Rockets outscored Dallas by a grand total of four points.
Dallas' lone win against Houston came on Feb. 21, as eight Mavs scored in double figures led by 17 each from Devin Harris and Al-Farouq Aminu off the bench.
SCHEDULE
Game 1 – Saturday, April 18 at Houston -- 8:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 21 Dallas at Houston -- 8:30 p.m.
Game 3 – Friday, April 24 at Dallas -- 6:00 p.m.
Game 4 – Sunday, April 26 at Dallas -- 8:00 p.m.
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 28 at Houston TBD
Game 6 * Thursday, April 30 at Dallas TBD
Game 7 * Saturday, May 2 at Houston TBD
All games will be televised locally on TXA21.
A NEW RIVALRY?
Dirk Nowitzki declined to call it a rivalry on Wednesday night. Outsiders who have watched the two teams interact would disagree.
"I mean, it's more a rivalry since Cuban and what's-his-face went back and forth a little bit -- [Daryl] Morey -– but I think if you play a team in the playoffs once every 10 years, you can't really speak of a rivalry."
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and Mavs owner Mark Cuban have exchanged jabs over the last two years -- largely centering around free agents Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons.
Seeing it culminate in a playoff series along I-45 -- it can only add fire to the perceived rivalry.
BACK TO DALLAS
Jason Terry spent eight seasons in Dallas and was a key member of the 2011 team that won the franchise's first title.
He ranks among the team's top 10 in a number of categories, including: Games (619, 6th), Minutes (20,219, 6th), Field Goals (3,719, 6th), and 3-Point Field Goals (1,140, 2nd).
Playing for his third team since leaving Dallas after the 2011-12 season, the 37-year-old is averaging just 7.0 points in 18 minutes. But as Dallas knows, Terry is capable of special things in the postseason.
More notably, Corey Brewer -- also a member of the Mavs' title team -- is currently with the Rockets. He is averaging 11.5 points per game in 26.1 minutes.
KEY PERFORMERS
-- In four games this season, Nowitzki is averaging just 14.5 points against Houston on 39.6 percent shooting.
-- Dallas' leading scorer Monta Ellis is averaging 20.3 points, converting 42.3 percent of his shots.
-- James Harden, a leading MVP candidate, came up just short of the scoring title. He's averaging 24.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists against Dallas. That includes a 32-point performance in Houston in November.
-- A hobbled Dwight Howard appeared in just one game against Dallas this season, logging 18 minutes, while scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
FIRST TIMER: Charlie V
After 10 seasons and 594 games, Mavs forward Charlie Villanueva will finally reach the NBA playoffs.
After winning an NCAA Championship at Connecticut, the forward has played in Toronto, Milwaukee and Detroit.
The 30-year-old signed with Dallas this offseason, and will finally get to experience the postseason.
"I believe in myself. I believe in Dallas and I think we are going to do some big things in the playoffs."
X-FACTOR: Chandler Parsons' Health
Parsons has missed six straight games with a sore right knee. While he's optimistic that he'll be ready for Saturday, it's unclear just how healthy he'll be.
There's no question -- Dallas is a better team with Parsons in the lineup. A motivated Parsons, playing against the team that let him walk, could be a HUGE factor in the opening round.
His absence could be equally as devastating.
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