Mavericks vs. Pelicans: Zion-Ingram Duo Key To Snap 5-Game Losing Streak
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (4-6) host the Dallas Mavericks (8-2) Tuesday evening in the Smoothie King Center. These teams met on Sunday in a blowout win for the Mavs. New Orleans currently is on a five-game losing streak after starting the season 4-1.
Sunday's matchup saw Dallas' dynamic backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving put on an offensive masterpiece. The backcourt of the Mavs is the highest-scoring backcourt in the NBA. On Sunday, the duo combined for 65 of the Mavericks' 136 points. That marked the fourth time in five games the Pelicans have surrendered at least 120 points to an opponent.
New Orleans heads into the game with a myriad of injuries. The team announced on Monday that forward Larry Nance Jr. will be sidelined for at least two weeks dealing with a rib injury. CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, and Trey Murphy III have been ruled out for Tuesday night's matchup. Herb Jones, who missed the last three games, is a game-time decision.
For the Pelicans to have a chance in this game, they must cut down on the turnovers, leading to easy baskets for the Mavericks. In the first half on Sunday, New Orleans committed 11 turnovers, leading directly to 12 points for Dallas off those turnovers.
Nov 12, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams (3) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last three games, the Pels rank No. 26 in the NBA in turnovers. More efficiency is needed from the Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Williamson attempted only 11 shots on Sunday, tied for the fewest amongst the starters.
Zion accounted for a third of Pelicans turnovers himself, while Ingram shot just 25% from the free throw line. Dallas ranks No. 1 in the NBA in offensive efficiency and No. 2 in points per game, so the Pelicans need to play a clean game to keep pace. Defensively, there has been a disturbing trend for New Orleans over the last week.
New Orleans has given up at least 40 points in either the second or third quarter in four of the last five games. Coach Willie Green told reporters after Sunday's loss that the team has to play better. Part of that play includes better effort on defense and in transition. One highlight for New Orleans is the play of second-year guard Dyson Daniels.
Daniels scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds on Sunday. Thrust into the starting lineup because of injury, Daniels' play has been strong for New Orleans, and if Herb Jones can't play on Tuesday, then Daniels will be asked to be a primary defender on either Luke Doncic or Kyrie Irving.
Dallas is tied for the best record in the Western Conference heading into Tuesday's game. They are tied with the Denver Nuggets, who the Pelicans host Friday night at the Smoothie King Center. Tuesday's game is the second game for the Pelicans in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
