Dallas @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 25, 2019 ) Dallas 123, New Orleans 116

The red-hot Dallas Mavericks search for their eighth victory in the past nine games when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Dallas is a superb 7-2 on the road, including Sunday's impressive 114-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Star point guard Luka Doncic scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half against the Lakers and also contributed 10 assists and nine rebounds during what he said was a big victory for the Mavericks. "It's a great win that means a lot to us," Doncic said afterward. "It shows that we can play against big teams, too. We just need to keep it rolling." New Orleans isn't classified as a big team as it has lost five straight games, including both ends of a back-to-back against the Oklahoma City Thunder by a combined eight points. "We've got to put (the players) in good situations as a coaching staff," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said after Sunday's 107-104 home loss. "We've got to dig ourselves out, find a way to make those plays down the stretch, get stops down the stretch and find a way to win these games."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (13-6): Backup guard Delon Wright had his best all-around game of the season by recording 17 points, five rebounds, four steals and establishing season bests of nine assists and three 3-pointers in the victory over the Lakers. Wright made 7-of-12 shots from the field and was pleased to connect on half of his six 3-point attempts after being just 9-of-28 entering the contest. "I've been hesitant a little bit this season for whatever reason," Wright told reporters. "But I came into the game knowing I was going to be way more aggressive and take the shots that are there and knock them down with confidence."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (6-14): Both losses to the Thunder were painful as late leads got away as New Orleans dropped to next-to-last in the Western Conference, ahead of only the Golden State Warriors. "It's been like this all year," point guard Lonzo Ball said after Sunday's loss. "We keep talking about it and we're doing things to put us in the position to win and we're kind of giving the game away at the last three minutes. So, it's stops, it's getting the best shot and just being poised down the stretch." Ball had 14 points and seven assists after missing the previous two games due to illness while guard Jrue Holiday scored 26 points to top 20 for the seventh time in the past 10 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Doncic had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists when the Mavericks posted a 123-116 road win over the Pelicans on Oct. 25.

2. New Orleans C Derrick Favors was away for the funeral of his mother and it is uncertain whether he will return to the team for Tuesday's game.

3. Dallas PF Dwight Powell posted season bests of 15 points and nine rebounds in the win over the Lakers.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 108, Pelicans 102