Mavs Game Preview: Game 48 @ Pelicans

Road trip begins with a revenge game in New Orleans

Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images

The Mavericks tip off a crucial five-game road trip tonight, facing the Pelicans in a matchup that carries a hint of unfinished business after they lost the last meeting in New Orleans on a missed goaltending call that could have sealed the game winning layup for Spencer Dinwiddie.

Despite being dealt one injury blow after another, this team has refused to stop fighting. But moral victories won’t cut it—securing at least a couple of wins on this trip is key to staying afloat in the standings.

And if they can weather this stretch, there’s a chance that when they return home, a certain MVP-level player might be waiting to help fuel a second-half push.

Source: Mavs dot com

Luka Dončić didn't join the team for this road trip, but Naji Marshall and Dante Exum did. Both have an upgraded status on the injury report, an encouraging sign as the Mavericks fight to stay competitive despite a depleted roster.

Source: NBA official injury report

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Mavs (25-22) @ Pelicans (12-35) game facts

Rest: DAL on 1 day of rest; NOP on 1 day of rest

DAL vs NOP 2024-25 record: 1-1 (first matchup observations, second matchup observations)

DAL 2024-25 away record: 11-12

NOP 2024-25 home record: 8-16

DAL injuries: Luka Dončić (OUT), Dereck Lively II (OUT), Maxi Kleber (OUT), Dwight Powell (OUT), Dante Exum (doubtful), Naji Marshall (questionable)

NOP injuries: Brandon Ingram (OUT), Herb Jones (OUT), Dejounte Murray (probable)

NOP projected starting 5: Dejounte Murray (G), CJ McCollum (G), Trey Murphy III (F), Zion Williamson (F), Yves Missi (C)

NOP key reserves: Jordan Hawkins, Javonte Green, Jose Alvarado, Daniel Theis

NOP Rotation:

Three key questions heading into the game

1. Will Daniel Gafford dominate again against a thin Pelicans frontcourt?

2. Can the Mavericks get Klay Thompson going early again?

3. Can Dallas play fast while staying more under control than in the last matchup?

What we saw / what's changed since last game

The last matchup was defined by the missed goaltending call on the final possession, but even before that, the Mavericks didn’t play their best basketball. That game was marked by too many turnovers and a late-game breakdown where the Mavericks relied on isolation attempts from Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson, while struggling to contain Dejounte Murray on the other end.

There will be two major differences compared to that game 14 days ago—two starters, Kyrie Irving and Zion Williamson, who both missed the last matchup, will be in the lineups.

Mavs on offense | Pelicans on defense

The Pelicans are a poor defensive team, ranking 29th in the league, and it all starts at the backline, where they might have the weakest center rotation. They rely on 20-year-old rookie Yves Missi and the undersized 6-foot-8 veteran Daniel Theis as his backup. They rank 30th, the worst in the NBA, in both opponent rim frequency and opponent offensive rebound percentage, while also allowing the second-most opponent points in the paint.

Daniel Gafford had a monster performance in the last matchup, putting up 27 points and 12 rebounds. He’ll need to stay aggressive inside, attacking the rim and crashing the offensive glass.

The Pelicans are also among the league’s worst in transition defense, ranking bottom five and allowing the second-most opponent fast break points. The Mavericks should look to exploit that. They tried to push the pace in the last matchup—it was their fastest-paced game in the last ten—but they were too reckless with the ball, turning it over at a high rate and getting punished in transition on the other end.

With Irving in the lineup, the Mavericks should be more selective and efficient in both their half-court execution and transition attacks. Hopefully, the determination to get Klay Thompson in rhythm by running more off-ball screening and other actions for him carries over from the last game against Washington.

Pelicans on offense | Mavs on defense