Two NBA Southwest Division rivals square off in the Big Easy when the Dallas Mavericks travel to New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday (October 25) night.
Dallas is coming off a straightforward 137-96 thrashing of the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Saturday night. New Orleans, meanwhile, lost to the Utah Jazz 122-121 in overtime at home on the same day.
The Mavericks have a 50-24 advantage in all-time regular-season games between the two teams and won three of their four clashes last year. That included a 125-118 victory on the road in February this year.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Betting Odds
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Mavericks vs Pelicans Match Details
Ficture: Mavericks at Pelicans
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 25; 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Mavericks vs Pelicans Key Stats
With an average of 121 points scored per game this season, the Mavericks are tied for sixth place in the league in scoring offense. Dallas is 26th in assists per game, giving out 20 assists per game, and is 15th in the league in rebounds with 46 boards per game. The Mavericks' scoring defense, which allows an average of 101.5 points per game, is second in the league.
Luka Doncic is the team's scoring leader with 33.5 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game this season. Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.5 points), Spencer Dinwiddie (15 points, 2.5 assists), and Christian Wood (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 assists) are also averaging in double digits.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, have averaged 125 points per game this season, which ranks them third in the league in scoring offense. With 53 rebounds per game, New Orleans is second in that category, and with 28 assists per game, they're tied for fifth. The Pelicans' scoring defense, which has allowed 114 points per game this season, is 17th in the league.
This season, Zion Williamson is averaging 6.7 rebounds per game, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22 points per game. Trey Murphy III has contributed 13.3 points and seven rebounds per game. Jonas Valanciunas has added 17 points and 13 rebounds per contest, while CJ McCollum, who has a team-high 23.3 points and 6.7 assists, is averaging double figures as well.
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Mavericks vs Pelicans Best Picks and Prediction
In their first three games of the season, New Orleans' offense has been dynamic, but this game could be difficult for them. That's because Williamson and Ingram both departed the game against the Jazz on Sunday, making them doubtful for this one.
When facing a Doncic-led Mavericks team for 48 minutes, especially when Wood is the sixth man in the rotation, McCollum is unlikely to bear the load alone. In the first two games of the season, he has scored 50 points in 49 minutes and has had a good rapport with Doncic.
Pick: Mavericks ML and -4.5 (-105)
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