The Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday night.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Clippers in a 144-126 home win on Friday. Luka Doncic led the team with 44 points, six rebounds and six assists on 17 of 21 shooting, Kyrie Irving added 27 points while Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field and 19 of 42 from the 3-point line as they took over the contest with a 47-18 second quarter to build a massive 32-point lead which allowed them to rest their starters early in this one. 

New Orleans Pelicans 

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in a rut as they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after falling just short to the Rockets in a 104-101 road loss on Friday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists, Zion Williamson added 24 points and eight rebounds while Jonas Valanciunas tallied 15 points with nine rebounds and four blocks. As a team, the Pelicans shot 45 percent from the field and eight of 25 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control after they turned a 14-point deficit into a 10-point lead, but they couldn’t make their open looks when it counted most as they scored just three points in the final 2:54 to allow the Rockets to run them down in the end. 

Peter’s Pick

The Mavericks are still missing Maxi Kleber, while the Pelicans are keeping eyes on Naji Marshall and Herbert Jones who are both listed as questionable. This is a classic case of two teams headed in opposite directions, so while the Pelicans are more than capable of pulling off the upset at home, I think the value is with the Mavericks to stay hot with another win and cover here.