The Dallas Mavericks head to Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Mavericks sit at 25-22, currently ninth in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans struggle at 12-35, ranking 14th. These teams last met on January 15, when New Orleans edged out a 119-116 victory.
Dallas has gone 3-3 since that loss, including two wins over Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Pelicans followed up their four-game winning streak with three consecutive losses. With both teams looking for momentum, this matchup is a key opportunity for Dallas to build on their recent success.
Mavericks Preview – Can They Stay Hot from Deep?
Dallas has played .500 basketball over their last six games but is coming off an impressive 130-108 win over Washington. Klay Thompson led the way with 23 points, hitting seven three-pointers in one quarter. The Mavericks shot 53.3% from the field and recorded 39 assists in the win.
Kyrie Irving has returned to the lineup, but Luka Dončić remains out with a calf injury. Irving had a quiet night against Washington with 13 points, but Dallas has relied on ball movement and three-point shooting to compensate. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have stepped up in the frontcourt, contributing consistent scoring and rebounding.
Dallas is beginning a five-game road trip and has struggled away from home, losing six of its last seven road games. They will need to tighten up defensively against a Pelicans team looking to snap its losing streak.
Pelicans Preview – Can Zion Carry the Offense?
The Pelicans are on a three-game skid, most recently falling 113-104 to Toronto. New Orleans shot just 21.4% from three-point range and made only 20 of 30 free throws, continuing a season-long trend of offensive inconsistency. Head coach Willie Green emphasized the need to hit open shots and finish possessions.
Zion Williamson was one of the few bright spots in the loss, scoring 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting. His aggressive play helped put the Pelicans in the bonus early, but the team failed to capitalize at the free-throw line. CJ McCollum added 22 points but struggled with efficiency.
The Pelicans’ defense ranks 26th in the league, allowing 117.7 points per game. They will need a much better effort to slow down Dallas, especially from the perimeter. With Herb Jones still out and other role players struggling, New Orleans must find a way to generate offense beyond Zion.
Betting Prediction
Dallas is a slight 1.5-point favorite, with the total set at 232.5. The Mavericks have been inconsistent on the road but have covered the spread in 57 of their last 100 games. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have only covered in 26 of their last 67 games.
Dallas’ three-point shooting gives them the edge, especially if Thompson continues his hot streak. With the Pelicans struggling defensively and at the free-throw line, the Mavericks should take advantage and pick up a road win. Expect Dallas to cover the short spread.
Pick: Mavericks -1.5
