The Dallas Mavericks (36-37, 22-15 Home) host the Charlotte Hornets (23-51, 11-27 Away) Friday at American Airlines Center. Charlotte is playing the second of a back-to-back after getting blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans 115-96 at Smoothie King Center yesterday.
With 18 points, PJ Washington was the leading scorer in the losing effort. Nick Richards was another key contributor with 9 points and 14 rebounds. The Hornets are the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference. Dallas lost a close one on Wednesday at American Airlines Center, falling to the Golden State Warriors 127-125.
Luka Doncic had 30 points, 17 assists, and seven rebounds in the loss to lead the team. The Mavericks are ninth in the Western Conference. It’s the first meeting of the season between the teams. Charlotte and Dallas split their matchups last season, taking one game apiece.
The Hornets came out on top in the last meeting 129-108 at Spectrum Center in March 2022. Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 23 points and eight rebounds. Doncic had 37 points in the loss. Terry Rozier is averaging 21.1 points per game to lead the Hornets in scoring this season. Rozier also has dished 5.1 assists per game.
Meanwhile, Mason Plumlee is grabbing 9.7 rebounds.Doncic’s 32.9 points per game have powered the Mavs on offense. He ranks as the second-highest scorer in the NBA. Doncic has also posted 8.2 assists, fifth-most in the league, and 8.6 rebounds per game.
The teams have split their last 10 meetings at American Airlines Center (5-5). Meanwhile, the Hornets are 3-8 this season when playing two days in a row and 2-6 in such games against rested opponents.
The Mavericks are 7-1 with a rest advantage. In the last 10 games, Charlotte is 3-7 with an average margin of -9.2 (103.3-112.5). For the season, the Hornets are averaging 111.1 points per game, compared to 117.4 for opponents.
Dallas has a 4-6 record over the last 10, allowing 117.8 points per game on average while scoring only 116.2 (-1.6 margin).
HORNETS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Nick Richards: 21.4 | 14.7 | +6.7
Rebounds per game:
Nick Richards: 10.6 | 6.2 | +4.4
Kelly Oubre Jr.: 3.5 | 5.2 | -1.7
Assists per game:
Dennis Smith Jr.: 6.6 | 4.7 | +1.9
MAVERICKS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Jaden Hardy: 27.0 | 11.5 | +15.5
Tim Hardaway Jr.: 10.3 | 19.3 | -8.9
Points per game:
Josh Green: 15.4 | 9.6 | +5.8
Tim Hardaway Jr.: 6.3 | 14.0 | -7.7
Assists per game:
Luka Doncic: 17.0 | 8.2 | +8.8
Kyrie Irving: 3.0 | 5.4 | -2.4
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Dallas Mavs -15.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
