Dallas @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 4, 2018 ) New Orleans 126, Dallas 109

The New Orleans Pelicans are planning on making the playoffs this spring, and performances like their 108-89 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday give them hope that they can hold their position. The Pelicans will try to stay with the pack in a crowded Western Conference when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Sunday's win came on the heels of a stretch of four losses in five games to postseason contenders, capped by a 107-101 home setback to NBA-best Houston on Saturday. "I think it is good for us because it was a good bounce-back game for us," New Orleans All-Star power forward Anthony Davis told reporters after beating the Celtics. "You know, it was a tough one last night and then come in, number one defensive team, and score on them and then hold them to what they had, under a hundred. So, it was good for us to kind of bounce back from last night and get this win." The Pelicans can't afford to look too far ahead with another East power coming to town on Wednesday in the Indiana Pacers, though it might be tempting to overlook the Mavericks. Dallas is one of four West teams already eliminated from playoff contention and it is wrapping up a four-game road trip in New Orleans.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (22-48): One of the few bright spots in an otherwise down season for Dallas is rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who suffered a sprained ankle during Saturday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Smith, who is averaging 15 points and 4.9 assists, had X-rays come back negative and is expected to return soon but will not play on Tuesday. "I'm feeling better," Smith told reporters on Monday. "We're doing a good job of just staying on top of everything and making sure we're taking care of everything, so it won't be long (before I'm playing again). I'm out of the boot. I had it for two days. I'm just a little tender right now, but it's going pretty well."

ABOUT THE PELICANS (40-30): New Orleans continues to search for contributions from players other than Davis and Jrue Holiday and got some on Sunday from power forward Cheick Diallo. The 21-year-old Kansas product delivered a season-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting in 24 minutes off the bench and added six rebounds. "It's a work in progress, like I always say," Diallo told reporters. "It's a great opportunity for me every time I step on the court. Every game matters for us right now. Every position matters, so every time I play, basically we've just got to play hard. I came from the bench so that's what I do, just bring energy every single night."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans PF Nikola Mirotic is 2-of-12 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Mavericks PG J.J. Barea (rib) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.

3. New Orleans earned a 126-109 win at Dallas on March 4 behind 30 points from Holiday.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 108, Mavericks 95