Recent form is the story in New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 26. The Mavericks have won 3 of their last 5, while the Pelicans have won 0.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Mavericks 64%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 113, Dallas Mavericks 116. The two teams are rated almost level, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Mavericks on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 36 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
The recent-form gap
The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The Mavericks are 2-2 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +1.4.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The Mavericks' best recent win was 149-128 at home against CHI.
The Mavericks were beaten 128-110 on the road by HOU not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Pelicans score 124.7 a game and allow 128. The Mavericks score 112.5 and allow 116. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 120.4 for the Pelicans and 120.3 for the Mavericks, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Pelicans' offense is the stronger unit against the Mavericks' defense.
The Pelicans have defended better than the Mavericks have scored, so the Mavericks may need to find offense elsewhere.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Santi Aldama (DAL), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Dereck Lively II (DAL), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Tarik Biberovic (DAL), expected back Nov 2, 2026, and Caleb Martin (DAL), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Naji Marshall (DAL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Mavericks outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 3 points per game. The last meeting was DAL 111, NOP 129.