Mavericks at Pelicans: Game 37 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (20-16) at New Orleans Pelicans (15-19)
Jan. 10, 7:00 at the New Orleans Arena
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Pelicans by 2

2013-14 Matchups
Dec. 4 at New Orleans
Mavs 100 Pelicans 97

All-Time Series
Mavs 45 Hornets-Pelicans 23

Team Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 9th (107.8)
Defense: 19th (106.8)
Pelicans
Offense: 8th (108.1)
Defense: 28th (109.3)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Wayne Ellington
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Dejuan Blair
Pelicans
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF:Anthony Davis
C: Alexis Ajinca

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Nowitzki, 20.7
RPG: Marion, 7.2
APG: Ellis, 5.9
PER: Nowitzki, 22.8
Pelicans
PPG: Anderson, 19.8
RPG: Davis, 10.1
APG: Holiday, 7.9
PER: Davis, 26.2

Notes
Both teams will be without key injured players. Shawn Marion remains out for the Mavs with a bruised shoulder, while Ryan Anderson is out indefinitely for New Orleans with a herniated disc. Neither team is playing its best basketball at the moment. The Mavericks have dropped 3 out of 4, and the Pelicans have lost 3 in a row. The Mavs have won 4 in a row over the Pelicans, including 3 of those in New Orleans. 2nd year Pelicans forward Anthony Davis is primed to make his all-star debut in his home arena this year. For the season he is averaging 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.

Update: Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday is now out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his tibia.