Mavs are concerned about New Orleans

DALLAS – Even though New Orleans is without All-Star forward Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks are very concerned about tonight’s game against the Pelicans.

Despite the absence of Davis – he has a right shoulder injury-- the Pelicans come into tonight’s 7:30 game at American Airlines Center riding a five-game winning streak. And that worries the Mavs.

"They’re extremely well-coached, they’re smart, they don’t beat themselves, they execute, they’re a low-turnover team, they’re a high paint-production team and they’re a high-rebounding team,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said after Monday’s shootaround. "When you are efficient with possessions and you do a good job rebounding the ball, you’re going to have a lot of possessions and many nights you’re going to have a lot more than the opponent.

"So that helps them. They’re tough-minded.’’

Davis suffered his injury during a Feb. 21 game in Miami. The Pelicans proceeded to win that game, 105-91, and have since racked up victories over Toronto (100-97), Brooklyn (102-96), Miami again (104-102) and Denver (99-92).

"They’re playing great,’’ Mavs guard J.J.Barea said. "They’re playing hard, but I think this is a big game for us.

"If we play with a lot of energy and harder than them, we’re going to be fine tonight.’’

With the Mavs slated to start a tough three-game road trip Thursday in Portland, Barea knows Dallas can ill-afford to slip up and lose tonight’s contest.

"It’s a must-win, no question,’’ Barea said. "We’ve got a hard back-to-back coming up, so we’ve got to take care of home and go from there.’’

After playing in Portland on Thursday, the Mavs will in Golden State on Friday, and then close the road trip Sunday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Mavs are concerned about New Orleans."