The Dallas Mavericks host the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western Conference showdown on Thursday night from the American Airlines Center, and we have you covered with our New Orleans vs Dallas prediction. The Pelicans sit in 15th place in the Western Conference but were at least able to get back into the win column in their last game before the All-Star break. For Dallas, they continue to adjust to life after the trade deadline but won four of five down before the break. Across three meetings this season, Dallas leads the series with two wins, though this remains a matchup that can go either way. Read on for our New Orleans vs Dallas prediction and if you are struggling to pick winners, we have the best NBA Predictions available.

Pelicans Take On Second Half

The Pelicans have struggled this season and despite getting a win just before the break, it’s difficult to imagine that the second half of the season won’t be much like the first. The win over the Kings in the first-half finale was their only win across their last ten games and is indicative of their struggles this season. They have a 4-23 record on the road this season and while the time off is likely to be helpful, it remains to be seen if it’s enough for them to overcome the potential gap that remains between these two sides. A pair of games against the Spurs at home are up next and life in the Western Conference doesn’t appear to get easier from here.

Injuries have made life challenging for the Pelicans this season and they have several players to keep an eye on for this one. Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray have already been ruled out for the season, as eyes turn to the status of Zion Williamson and Yves Missi. Both of them are day-to-day and if especially Williamson is unable to go, it’ll spell additional trouble for the Pelicans.

New Orleans has an offense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in nearly every defensive category and against a top-ten defense, will have its work cut out. The Pelicans remain one of the league’s best offensive rebounds teams though, as second-chance points could give them a chance to be competitive in this one. Zion (24.4 ppg) leads the way but has little help beyond CJ McCollum. The Pelicans lack a post threat and post depth and that continues to haunt them as the season progresses.

Mavs Hope To Pick Up Fast

Dallas was the talk of the NBA world with their trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers but with four wins in their last five games, they should be talked about for their strong finish to the first half of the season. It helped that the final four games all came at home but with a home game to kick off the second half, they have the opportunity to pick up right where they left off. They have a 17-11 record at home and face a Pelicans side that they are 6-4 against over the last ten meetings. After winning by one the last time these two met in January, there’s no doubt that Dallas will want to put forward a stronger performance in the rematch.

The Pelicans have been hit hard by injuries but Dallas is in far worse shape as they start the second half of the season. They have seven players listed on the injury report, with five of those already ruled out, including Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford. All eyes turn to the status of PJ Washington and Klay Thompson, as the Mavericks can ill afford to be without those two role pieces.

Dallas has found success on the defensive end this season and expects to lean on that side of the ball to drive their success in this one. They rank ninth in the league in field-goal percentage defense but have struggled in defending the three, where they rank 20th in three-point percentage defense. Kyrie Irving (24.6 ppg) leads the offense, which now looks quite a bit different without Doncic. The addition of Max Christie (17.3 ppg) has helped but until they can find consistency in the frontcourt, it’s going to be difficult for this team to find cosnistency.