The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans are set to square off Monday night at the Smoothie King Center, and for two teams that stumbled out of the gate this season, this matchup suddenly has some juice. The Pelicans, riding a four-game win streak, are coming off a commanding 128-109 win over the Pacers.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, have taken six of their last nine despite a narrow 121-114 loss in Philadelphia on Saturday. Both squads are starting to find their footing, and Monday’s clash could be a tone-setter as the season grinds toward the new year.
Momentum Building on Both Sides
Let’s start with the Pelicans, who are playing their best basketball of the season. Thursday’s overtime win against the Rockets was a gut-check performance.
After blowing a first-quarter lead and trailing by 22 at halftime, New Orleans clawed all the way back to steal a 133-128 victory. That comeback followed wins over Portland and Chicago, and Saturday’s dominant showing against Indiana only added to the sense that this team is starting to figure things out.
Dallas, for its part, has been trending up as well. The Mavericks recently edged out the East-leading Pistons in a gritty 116-114 battle and have been playing with more cohesion, even while navigating injuries and lineup changes.
These two teams have already split their season series, both games played in Dallas. The Pelicans took the first meeting 101-99 back on November 5, and the Mavericks answered with a 118-115 win on November 21. This third matchup could serve as a tiebreaker in more ways than one-both teams are trying to climb out of the lower rungs of the Western Conference standings.
Rookies Making Their Mark
One of the most exciting storylines for both teams has been the emergence of their rookie starters. For New Orleans, center Derik Queen and point guard Jeremiah Fears have injected energy and skill into the lineup.
Queen is already turning heads with his footwork, vision, and feel for the game. He’s a creative passer who likes to operate from the top of the key, and while he’s still learning when to dial back the flash, the foundation is there.
He’s averaging 4.0 assists per game-impressive for a big man-but also turning it over 2.3 times a night, a number that should come down with experience. Against Indiana, he tried a few highlight-reel lobs that didn’t quite land, but the ambition is clear.
Fears, on the other hand, brings speed and swagger to the backcourt. He’s got a smooth pull-up jumper and is at his most dangerous in transition or attacking the rim. He was one of four Pelicans to score 20+ in their last meeting with Dallas and plays with a chip that could make him a long-term problem for opposing defenses.
The Mavericks are seeing similar promise from their own rookies. Cooper Flagg continues to flash star potential, tying for the team lead with 24 points alongside Anthony Davis in Saturday’s loss. Ryan Nembhard didn’t light up the box score, but he played a clean, steady game-something Dallas desperately needed as turnovers piled up early in Philadelphia.
Zion and the Second Unit
Of course, the Pelicans’ ceiling changes dramatically when Zion Williamson is healthy and active. The former No. 1 pick came into this season in the best shape of his career, and while he missed six games earlier this month with a hip strain, his return has been a welcome sight. He’s been coming off the bench in limited minutes, but his impact is immediate-he dropped 29 points in just 24 minutes against Indiana.
Zion’s presence has also buoyed a second unit that’s starting to find its rhythm. Jordan Poole, who recently returned from a 17-game absence due to a quad injury, is still finding his shot-his three-point percentage is down from last year’s career-best mark-but he’s contributing 17.8 points per game and giving the Pelicans another scoring option off the bench.
And then there’s Jose Alvarado, the perennial thorn in Dallas’ side. His pesky defense and relentless energy can swing momentum in a heartbeat.
The Mavericks will need to be sharper than they were in the first quarter against Philly, when early turnovers put them in a hole they couldn’t quite climb out of.
Pelicans Finding Their Identity
What’s most impressive about New Orleans’ recent stretch is how balanced the offense has become. The team has had to adapt often without Zion, and that experience is paying off. In their comeback against Houston, it was Saddiq Bey (29 points), Herb Jones (18), and Trey Murphy III (27) leading the charge while Zion sat for much of the fourth quarter.
Murphy, in particular, has stepped into a bigger role this season. He’s averaging just under 22 points per game and continues to shoot the three at a high clip-right in line with his career .381 mark. His ability to stretch the floor and create his own shot has made him a go-to option when the Pelicans need a bucket.
What Dallas Needs to Do
For the Mavericks, Monday’s game is the second in a brutal stretch where they’ll play eight of 11 on the road. A win over a divisional opponent that’s finally heating up would be a major boost. But to get there, they’ll need more than just another strong outing from Flagg or Davis.
Dallas has to shoot better from deep-plain and simple. Against the Sixers, they hit just three triples all game.
Max Christie struggled to get going after picking up two quick fouls, and Klay Thompson, despite some recent hot streaks, went just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. That won’t cut it against a Pelicans team that can pile up points in a hurry.
They’ll also need another strong game in the paint from Naji Marshall, who’s been a physical presence inside. And while New Orleans has been winning, they’ve been vulnerable on the glass-something Dallas can exploit.
Even in their last two wins, the Pelicans were out-rebounded. But they’re capable of crashing the boards in spurts, as they did early against Houston when they grabbed four offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone.
Final Thought
This is a matchup between two teams that are starting to believe in themselves again. The Pelicans are finally healthy enough to show off their depth, and the Mavericks are leaning on youth and grit to stay in the mix.
Monday night’s game won’t decide the season for either squad-but it could be a measuring stick for how far each has come since those early-season struggles. Expect a competitive, high-energy battle between two teams that are learning how to win again.