Mavs vs. Pelicans Preview: Dallas Going Streaking vs. Ice-Cold New Orleans?

The Dallas Mavericks host the freezing-cold New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center. Will the Mavs take advantage of the Pelicans without Zion Williamson in the rotation?

With the city of Dallas coming off yet another winter crisis, the New Orleans Pelicans battle the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Although Dallas faces sub-freezing temperatures, it's the Pelicans who appear frostbitten. 

Coming off a close battle against the Eastern Conference's worst team, the Detroit Pistons, the Mavs look to take advantage of a 26-26 Zion Williamson-less Pelicans squad that has lost nine consecutive games.

While Dallas is still without Christian Wood (thumb fracture) and Maxi Kleber (hamstring tear), Luka Doncic is the roster's equalizer. Even with a fractured roster, Doncic provides band-aid treatment. 

Dallas has played sub-500 ball in its last 10 games, and New Orleans has somehow upped the ante there with a miserable 1-9 record in the same span. However, the Pelicans haven't had the services of Williamson since January 2. 

Regardless of what the injury report says, New Orleans poses a threat to Dallas. Aside from long-and-lanky wing Brandon Ingram back in the rotation after missing 29 games, the Pelicans have a few defensive irritants at its disposal.

Jose Alvarado and Herbert Jones contribute to the Pelicans' seventh-best defensive rating. Alvarado's sneak-from-behind tactics could work vs. the at-times lackadaisical Mavericks' offense, although Dallas ranks second-best at allowing the fewest turnovers. 

The main defensive threat comes in the form of 6'8 wing Jones, though. He is known for efficient closeouts on three-point shots, and his defensive metrics match the eye test- ranking in the 99th percentile in steals and 80th percentile in blocks. 

Still, the Pelicans' effort isn't showing up in the advanced stats in the past ten games, evident by the -10.1 net rating in that span. However, all that goes out the window, considering Dallas ranks 15th in point differential. In the last 15 games, the Mavs beat their opponent twice by double-digit margins, which is not necessarily a sign of dominance.

Will Doncic heat up the freezing streets of Dallas with another fiery scoring performance, or will the Mavs ice themselves out to yet another injury-riddled team?

FUN FACT: Earning a signature shoe signifies cultural relevance in the sneaker industry. Doncic has his line with the Jordan brand, and now his backcourt mate Spencer Dinwiddie possesses a signature deal with 361°, a Chinese shoe brand. 

RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (27-25), New Orleans Pelicans (26-26)

WHEN: Thursday, February 2, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: American Airlines Center, (Dallas, TX) 

TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass

RADIO: 97.1 The Freak

ODDS: The Mavericks are 4.5 favorites over the Pelicans

NEXT UP: The Mavs play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday during ABC's 7:30 p.m. primetime slot. 

FINAL WORD: Tuesday night's TNT crew found themselves speaking of Doncic. However, instead of simply praising his MVP-level production, Turner Sports analyst Jamal Crawford fawned over James Harden while practicing revisionist history. 

The night Doncic posted 53 points over the Pistons, he found himself again in historic territory. Only LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Doncic have recorded five-plus 50-point games in their first five seasons. 

Why not talk about that historic feat? Instead, TNT allowed Crawford to spew odd takes of a supposedly under-appreciated player, despite Harden winning an MVP and also playing runner-up on numerous occasions. 

While Doncic is not above criticism, taking part in a cheap whataboutism only leaves you with egg on your face when having a legitimate basketball conversation.

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