Hornets eye first three-game win streak in MLK Day matinee vs. Mavericks

THE Charlotte Frelons (10-28) look to snap their first three-game successful streak of the 2024-25 season once they tackle Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks (23-19) in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day recreation at Spectrum Middle.

The MLK Day contest opens this season’s two-game sequence between the groups, with Dallas holding the latest benefit after sweeping final season’s matchups and successful 4 in its final seven conferences with Charlotte and leads the sequence all instances 44-23.

Dallas will as soon as once more be with out star level guard Luka Dončić, who stays sidelined with a calf harm suffered throughout their Christmas Day conflict with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The five-time All-Star isn’t ought to return till early Februaryleaving Dallas with out its high scorer and playmaker.

Below head coach Charles Lee, the Hornets have discovered some rhythm lately, successful back-to-backs for simply the second time this season. Regardless of going 6-13 at residence, Charlotte enters the MLK Day recreation with some momentum. The group’s offense kicked into excessive gear in wins over Utah and Chicago, capturing over 50 p.c in each video games whereas outperforming inside when it comes to offensive rebounds and factors in portray.

Dallas ended its three-game skid with a 106-98 victory over the highly effective Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Even with out Dončić, Dallas continues to show offensive effectivity, rating among the many NBA’s elite in a number of key classes: tenth in scoring (115.4 PPG), seventh in area aim share (47 .7%) and tenth in three-point accuracy (37.2%). . Their defensive presence is equally exceptional, with their 5.8 blocks per recreation rating fourth within the league.

Hornets: LaMelo Ball is within the midst of a breakout season, changing into one of many NBA’s elite scorers. The dynamic level guard’s 29.5 factors per recreation ranks him fourth total within the league and leads all guards within the Jap Convention. Amongst NBA guards, solely league chief Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma Metropolis posted the next common. Ball’s play has been equally spectacular, as his 7.5 assists per recreation ranks eighth within the league, whereas additionally disrupting opposing assaults with 1.4 steals per recreation.

The non-conformists: Kyrie Irving was compelled to assist carry the load following Dončić’s harm. Though he himself missed 10 video games with a bulging disc in his decrease again. Irving averaged 23.9 factors per recreation whereas capturing 48.1 p.c from the sphere, together with 43.2 p.c from deep.

The highlight will likely be on the management duel between Ball and Irving. Ball enters the competition with career-best numbers (29.5 PPG, 7.5 APG) and has turn out to be the Jap Convention’s main scorer. Irving, in the meantime, has taken on an expanded offensive position in Dončić’s absence, leveraging his ball-handling and elite scoring prowess to maintain the Mavericks’ offense going.

Regardless of going 3-7 of their final 10 video games, the Hornets have proven preventing spirit, with their three victories of their most up-to-date 4 outings. Their schedule lately noticed surprising changes through the Southern California wildfires. compelled the postponement of their highway journey to Los Angeleskeeping off matchups towards the Lakers and Clippers.

Much like their opponent, the Mavericks have struggled to keep up consistency, going 3-7 over their final 10 video games. What’s extra regarding for Dallas has been the margin of defeat, with six of these losses by 10 factors or extra, highlighting their latest defensive vulnerabilities.

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