The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at the American Airlines Center. The game tips off at 8:30 PM ET, with Dallas looking to build on its solid form before the All-Star break. The Mavericks sit 8th in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record, while the Pelicans are struggling at 15th place with a 13-42 mark.
In their last meeting on January 29, the Mavericks edged out the Pelicans 137-136 in a close contest. New Orleans will aim to even the season series, while Dallas hopes to continue its push up the standings. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, which could play a big role in the outcome of this matchup.
Dallas Mavericks Preview – Can Depth Continue to Shine?
Despite injuries to key players like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, the Mavericks have won four of their last five games. Their most recent victory was a 118-113 win over the Miami Heat on February 13. Dante Exum led the charge with 27 points, supported by Max Christie’s 19 and Spencer Dinwiddie’s 18.
The Mavericks are getting strong contributions from unexpected sources. Kessler Edwards added 15 points and nine rebounds against Miami, showcasing the depth of the roster. With Davis, Lively, and Gafford all out until at least March 6, Dallas will continue to rely on role players to keep their momentum going.
Defensively, Dallas ranks 17th in points allowed at 113.5 per game. They will need to tighten up against a Pelicans team that can score in bunches when CJ McCollum is hot. The Mavericks have struggled at times to close out games, and staying focused late will be key to securing the win.
New Orleans Pelicans Preview – Can McCollum Carry the Load?
The Pelicans finally snapped a 10-game losing streak by defeating the Sacramento Kings 140-133 in overtime before the break. CJ McCollum was the hero with 43 points, while Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado chipped in 18 each. Despite the win, New Orleans remains in a tough spot, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference.
New Orleans has been hit hard by injuries. Brandon Boston is out with an ankle injury, Herbert Jones is done for the season with a shoulder issue, and DeJounte Murray is also out for the season. The team is leaning heavily on McCollum and Murphy, who has averaged 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over his last eight games.
The Pelicans’ defense is a concern, allowing 113.5 points per game. They struggle to contain opposing offenses, and with Dallas showing strong form even with a depleted roster, New Orleans will need a big defensive effort to stay competitive in this game.
Betting Prediction
The Mavericks are favored by 5.5 points, and the total is set at 236.0. Given Dallas’s strong play despite injuries and New Orleans’s struggles, Dallas is in a good spot to win and cover. The Mavericks’ depth and home-court advantage should make the difference.
The Pelicans have hit the over in 23 of their last 34 games, suggesting that a high-scoring game could be in play. However, Dallas’s trend of hitting the under at home, especially in first halves, could balance things out. The predicted score is Dallas 120, New Orleans 110, with Dallas covering the spread.
Pick: Dallas Mavericks -5.5 over the New Orleans Pelicans
