The losing streak is piling up
The 6-14 New Orleans
Pelicans come in as losers in each of their last five games. Although fifth in
the league in scoring at 115.1 PPG, they have only scored 104 points in their
last two, both of which are against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pelicans also lost in the previous meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, where
they opened up with 41 first quarter points but proceeded to squander all the
momentum, eventually losing, 123-116. The defense also allowed three Mavs to
score 20 or more.
Offense is the Pels’ best defense (29th in points allowed), and their weapons
are finally compelete again. Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart have both returned from
their injuries, JJ Redick is in mid-season form, and primary scorers Brandon
Ingram and Jrue Holiday are consistent in putting points in the board.
Ingram is averaging 25.5 points per game, Holiday is at 19.4 PPG, and Redick is
putting up 19.5 PPG ever since joining the starting line-up (11 games).
The Pelicans are 4-6 at home this season.
Streak-snappers
The 13-6 Dallas Mavericks have won two-straight and seven of their last eight games, with the most recent victory arguably being the most impressive yet. While on the road, they overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers, co-owners of the best record in the NBA, and ended the Lake Show’s 10-game winning streak, 114-100.
Things should continue looking up for the Mavs, and they should have little to no issues dispatching the Pelicans. Luka Doncic, who registered 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in that previous meeting, is once again primed for a big night, especially since the Pels are an awful defensive team.
Kristaps Porzingis’s numbers have gone down to a satisfactory level in his last seven games – 14.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, on 40.7% shooting – and Tim Hardaway has taken over as the second-best scorer during that span, with 15.6 points and 2.9 threes per game.
One of the Mavs’ guys in the second unit, Delon Wright, may deserve a tiny bit of spotlight for the match-up. He’s chipping in 8.2 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in only 22 minutes per game this season and he scored a season-high 20 the last time they faced the Pels.
The Mavericks are 7-2 on the road this season.
PREDICTION:
The Mavs continue building up a hot run and win, 118-108.
