Mavericks Look to Build on Big OKC Win, Hornets Riding Momentum

Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets: MLK Day Showdown Preview

The NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration kicks off with an intriguing matchup between the Dallas Mavericks (23-19) and the Charlotte Hornets (10-28). This game marks the first of two meetings this season between these two teams, with Dallas looking to bounce back after recent struggles, while the Hornets are riding a two-game winning streak.

Mavericks Aim to Build on Big Win Over OKC

While the Dallas Mavericks have had their share of challenges lately, including dropping three of their last four games, they recently delivered a significant victory. The Mavericks stunned the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 106-98 as 2.5-point underdogs. Despite struggles at home against the Denver Nuggets and an unexpected loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Mavericks’ victory over OKC was a strong reminder of their potential.

Dallas has now settled into the 7th spot in the competitive Western Conference standings, just one game behind the 5th-place Los Angeles Clippers.

Leading the charge in the Thunder win was Kyrie Irving, who scored 25 points and added five assists, showcasing why he’s become the team’s primary offensive force in the absence of Luka Dončić. Dončić has been sidelined due to a calf strain he suffered on Christmas Day, leaving Irving to take on the role of the team’s top scorer, averaging 23.9 points per game (PPG), 4.8 assists per game (APG), and 1.3 steals per game.

Klay Thompson continues to provide support, averaging 13.7 PPG and hitting 3.0 three-pointers per game. Recently, Thompson has been particularly hot from beyond the arc, hitting at least two threes in each of his last four games, including six against the Nuggets.

For Dallas, the frontcourt is filled with talent, but the ankle injury to rookie Dereck Lively II means Daniel Gafford will likely take over in the starting lineup. Gafford has been solid, contributing 11.7 PPG and 6.0 rebounds per game (RPG).

On the defensive end, the Mavericks rank 12th in the league, allowing 111.8 points per game (PPG), and 10th in scoring, averaging 115.4 PPG.

Hornets: Riding Momentum After Two Road Wins

The Charlotte Hornets are entering this matchup with renewed confidence after securing back-to-back road wins. They defeated the Utah Jazz by five points and narrowly edged out the Chicago Bulls 125-123, both as underdogs. Despite these wins, the Hornets remain far out of playoff contention, sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, six games behind the 10th-seed Indiana Pacers.

At the heart of Charlotte’s recent success is LaMelo Ball, who has emerged as the team’s standout player, averaging 29.5 PPG and 7.5 APG. Ball’s strong performance has made him an All-Star candidate, even though the Hornets’ overall record hasn’t reflected his individual excellence. In Charlotte’s win over Chicago, Ball registered 26 points and nine assists, playing a pivotal role in his team’s success.

The Hornets have also benefited from the resurgence of Miles Bridges, who is averaging 18.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG, including a 21-point performance against Chicago. While Brandon Miller was another key contributor for Charlotte earlier this season, his indefinite absence due to a wrist injury has forced the team to rely on other players to step up.

Charlotte’s center, Mark Williams, is having a breakout year with averages of 14.5 PPG and 9.3 RPG when healthy. Williams’ recent 19-point, 19-rebound game against the Bulls shows that he can be a dominant force in the paint.

While the Hornets’ offense remains one of the league’s least efficient, ranking 28th in scoring with 107.0 PPG, their defense is middle-of-the-pack, ranked 15th in points allowed (112.7 PPG). Their pace of play is also a factor, with Charlotte ranking 18th in possessions per game.

Conclusion

This MLK Day clash promises to be an exciting matchup, with key players like Kyrie Irving and LaMelo Ball taking center stage. For the Mavericks, the absence of Luka Dončić continues to be a challenge, but their depth and offensive firepower should help them secure a win. Meanwhile, Charlotte will look to continue their momentum and build on their recent successes. Keep an eye on this game for standout individual performances and a close, high-scoring contest.

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