Mavericks at Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are off to their worst start in 11 years and
look to break a six-game losing streak when they host the Dallas
Mavericks on Tuesday. The contest is the back end of consecutive games
between the two teams and Dallas notched a 107-98 home victory in the
first one on Friday.
New Orleans has been ravaged by injuries and dressed only nine players against the Mavericks but the troubles run deeper than attrition. "We are trying to figure out why we can't put together 48 minutes of good basketball," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "If I had that answer I wouldn’t be standing here answering these questions. We have to keep plugging away and working at it. You don’t quit. It’s a long season and along the way we have to get it turned around.” Dallas point guard Deron Williams scored a season-high 19 points on Friday and is getting more comfortable with his new team as well as healthy after injuring his left knee in the season opener. "It’s pretty clear that his legs are getting under him better, his rhythm is getting better and the outside shots are looking more rhythmic," coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "He has to stay the course."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (3-3): Dallas has been receiving stellar bench contributions from power forward Dwight Powell, who is averaging 11.3 points and eight rebounds in 22.7 minutes of playing time. The second-year pro saw little action last season while splitting it with the Boston Celtics and the Mavericks but has scored in double digits in three straight games after having a career-best 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting in Friday's win over the Pelicans. "There are no big shocks for me," Carlisle told reporters. "He is a hard-playing guy and he is getting experience and getting better."
ABOUT THE PELICANS (0-6): Superstar forward Anthony Davis had 25 points in Friday's game against Dallas and has been a one-man band most of the season. Davis is averaging 25.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots while putting pressure on himself to end New Orleans' winless stretch. "I try to do everything I can to help this team win," Davis told reporters. "It’s obviously not enough, so we’ve got to go back to the drawing board and try to figure it out."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Mavericks have won 11 of the past 12 meetings.
2. With five players out with injuries, New Orleans applied for a hardship roster exemption and is slated to sign G Jimmer Fredette, who played 50 games for the team last season.
3. Dallas SF Chandler Parsons (knee) remains on a minutes' restriction after offseason surgery and is just 8-of-23 from the field in four games.