Dallas @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2017 ) Dallas 96, Charlotte 111

The Charlotte Hornets followed up an impressive road trip with an extended rest and hope to still be in sync when they begin a three-game homestand against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The Hornets have been off since a 108-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, which capped a 3-1 trip that also included double-digit victories over Golden State and Sacramento.

"We're still confident. There is still so much basketball, like 40 games left," guard Kemba Walker told The News & Observer. "We just can't rest. We've had a couple of really bad stretches and hopefully that is behind us. We are playing really well as a group." Walker had 19 points, seven assists and four steals in the win over the Lakers as Charlotte put together consecutive victories for the first time since before Thanksgiving. The Mavericks salvaged the finale of a four-game homestand with a 114-99 win over Orlando on Tuesday. Dallas is averaging 116.7 points over its last six contests and it finished the win over the Magic with a season-low four turnovers.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (14-28): Rookie Dennis Smith Jr. scored 20 points in Tuesday's win and posted his second straight game without a turnover, during which he has played 59 minutes. Dirk Nowitzki matched Smith in the scoring column to tie his season high and he went 7-for-7 at the line, moving him into a tie with Hall of Famer Jerry West (7,160) for sixth on the NBA's all-time list for made free throws. Nowitzki is averaging 12.3 points on the season but has at least 13 in each of his last seven road games.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (15-23): Marvin Williams was held scoreless in consecutive games spanning 40 minutes over the first two games of the road trip, but he responded with 26 points in 37 minutes over the next two contests. Dwight Howard has had a more direct impact on the standings with his ups and downs, as the veteran center is averaging 21.3 points on 32-of-50 shooting in the team's last four wins, compared to six points on 5-of-22 in its last three losses. Backup guard Jeremy Lamb averaged 14.4 points in 23.8 minutes on the road trip.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Mavericks SG Wesley Matthews averaged 19 points and made 14 3-pointers during the homestand.

2. Howard needs five blocked shots to tie Theo Ratliff (1,968) for 19th on the NBA's all-time list.

3. Walker averaged 18.5 points as Charlotte swept two meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Hornets 112, Mavericks 101