Dallas Mavericks At New Orleans Pelicans

Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks (20-16) will end their two game road trip against the New Orleans Pelicans (15-19) at 7Pm CT.

The Mavericks will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights and beginning a back-to-back (home and home) set against these Pelicans.

The Mavericks come in watching their 4 game road winning streak snapped as they got pounded 112-90 by the San Antonio Spurs.

Dirk Nowitzki notched his 1,00th career steal to be one of only 6 players in NBA history to have 25,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 1,000 blocks, and 1,000 steals.

The Mavs enter the game now at 8-10 on the road.

The Opponent

The Pelicans have lost 3 straight and currently are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 11th spot in the West (4 Games back of Mavs).

The Pelicans have played the fewest home games among Western Conference teams (9-6).

On the season they’re putting up 101.7 points per game while allowing 102.9.

The Pelicans will be without leading scoring (19.8 ppg) and 3-pt threat (40.9%) Ryan Anderson (Herniated Disk).

Anthony Davis has been putting up All-Star numbers this season, with averages of 19.2 points (52.6%), 10.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks(leads NBA).

Offseason addition Jrue Holiday (14.3 pts, 7.9 assists) and Tyreke Evans (13pts, 4.3 assists) have had decent years to this point.

Both have struggled over during the 3 game losing streak. Holiday-6.6pts, 5.6 assists,  Evans- 9.3 pts, 2.3 assists

Eric Gordon has finally been healthy for the season and is averaging 15.6 points.

The Pelicans rank 4th in the NBA with 12.9 offensive rebounds per game.

Emphasis

As usual it will be to contain the guard positions. Holiday in the first meeting lit the Mavs up for 26pts (10-17) and 9 assists. With Marion out again, the Mavs must find a defender to be able to keep him out of the paint, while also contesting his perimeter shots.

Holiday isn’t the only guard the Mavs must worry about. Gordon and Evans have the ability to get to the basket and create plays for their teammates. The Mavs ability to keep the guards out of the paint will greatly be tested

Rebound! In the first meeting the Pelicans won the rebounding battle 58-38 with 18 of those offensive rebounds. To make things even worse, Davis was did not play in the game. The Mavs who were just out rebounded 55-32 by the Spurs must find a way to clean up the glass.

Get to the basket. The Pelicans may have the top shot blocker in the league, but the Mavs must find a way to get easier baskets. The Mavs struggled to make shots against the Spurs.

Notes

The Mavs won the first meeting 100-97 in New Orleans. Monta Ellis finished with 14 points and 10 assists. Nowitzki led the way with 21 points to lead 6 Mavericks in double figures.

Al-Farouq Aminu led the Pelicans with 20 rebounds to go with his 16 points.

The Mavericks force the Pelicans to force 16 turnovers to their 8.

The Pelicans shot 14-15 from the free throw line.

In the month of January, Ellis is only averaging 17.2 points, which is a dip from his 19.9 on the season. He did lead the Mavs in scoring against the Spurs with his 21 points.

Nowitzki has also struggled since the New Year, as he’s been scoring below his 20.7 ppg, as he’s only been averaging 17.2 ppg.

Injuries

DAL- Devin Harris (Out-Toe) Marion- (Out-Shoulder)

NOP- Anderson- (Out-Disk)