NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (1-9) at MAVERICKS (6-3)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas.
TV: Bally Sports Southwest.
Radio: The Eagle 97.1 FM; Univision 99.1 FM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: They are going for their first three-game winning streak of the season against the team with the worst record in the NBA . . . All six of their victories have been by 10 points or less. All three of their losses have been by 15 points or more . . . Maxi Kleber (left oblique strain) once again will be out and is expected to be re-evaluated this week . . . They have won four consecutive games against the Pelicans at AAC, including the two meetings last season by an average of 15.5 points . . . Luka Dončić, coming off a game-winning 3-pointer with no time left on the clock, has averaged 28.5 points in 10 meetings with the Pelicans. He also has three triple-doubles against the New Orleans, his most against any franchise . . . In his past four games, he’s scored 23, 33, 23 and 33 . . . They are 4-1 at home . . . Despite their record, the numbers aren’t great for the Mavericks. They are allowing opponents to hit 46 percent of their shots, 25th in the league. Their overall defensive rating is only 19th at 108.1 points allowed per 100 possessions . . . Offensively, they are shooting just 42.3 percent, also 25th in the league . . . The Mavericks hit the road for four games starting Wednesday in Phoenix, where they will play the Suns twice. They then will visit the Los Angeles Clippers twice.
About the Pelicans: They obviously are off to a disastrous start, due in part to their injury situation. High-scoring big man Zion Williamson has yet to play this season because of a foot injury and he’s likely to be out at least another week before being cleared for basketball work. In addition, swingman Brandon Ingram did not play Friday at Golden State because of a hip problem . . . The Pelicans have lost six in a row, including the first three on this four-game trip that went to Phoenix, Sacramento and Golden State before playing the Mavericks . . .
The average margin of defeat on this road trip has been 22 points . . . Without Williamson, they have had difficulty scoring, averaging just 101.4 points per game, 26th in the league . . . Center Jonas Valanciunas remains one of the most dependable big men in the league, averaging 19.3 points and 14.2 rebounds through 10 games. What makes him so dangerous is that he also is making 56.3 percent of his 3-point tries. He doesn’t take a lot (9-of-16), but when he shoots them, they usually go in . . . Guard Devonte Graham averages 15.5 points and 5.2 assists per game.
Twitter: @ESefko
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