Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick & Prediction JANUARY 20th 2025
Preview and Prediction
Even during favorable times, the Charlotte Hornets are unable to fully appreciate some of the positive moments.
However, they will resume their season on Monday afternoon when they face the Dallas Mavericks at home.
The Hornets, who are in search of their first three-game winning streak of the season, are coming to terms with the loss of swingman Brandon Miller, who suffered a severe wrist injury.
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The Mavericks also have injury concerns, so the overall health of both teams is likely to play a role in the game.
Charlotte is returning home after what was supposed to be a five-game road trip. However, due to the California wildfires, two games in Los Angeles were postponed, resulting in a 2-1 trip.
Under normal circumstances, this would be considered a successful trip for the Hornets. However, the Miller injury has put a damper on the team's spirits, with guard LaMelo Ball describing it as "tough times."
Miller was absent during Friday night's 125-123 victory over the Chicago Bulls, with news about the severity of his injury being revealed after the game. He sustained the injury two nights earlier against the Utah Jazz.
To fill the void left by Miller, the Hornets may turn to Josh Okogie, who was acquired in a recent trade with the Phoenix Suns in exchange for center Nick Richards.
Hornets coach Charles Lee expressed excitement about Okogie's versatility and defensive abilities, stating that he will bring a lot to the team.
In Friday's game, Charlotte's Nick Smith Jr. made his first NBA start and played for 26 minutes, while Seth Curry came off the bench and contributed 15 points in 18 minutes.
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Miller has been averaging 21.0 points per game, but this will be his second extended absence due to injury this season.
Lee stated that the team will have to come together and support Miller during his recovery.
The Mavericks also had a break since Friday's 106-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kyrie Irving led the team in scoring with 25 points, his first time doing so since December 28th.
Teammate Naji Marshall praised Irving's performance, saying he put the team on his back.
Irving has only played in three games this month due to a back injury. He played for 39 minutes on Friday, but stated that he is still working on getting back to his usual form.
The Mavericks may also be dealing with injuries as they head into Monday's game. Jaden Hardy left Friday's game with a right ankle injury, while Dwight Powell exited with a hip ailment. Neither player returned to the game.
Since Christmas Day, the Mavericks have lost nine out of 13 games. They have also lost their last five road games.
After defeating one of the top teams in the NBA, the Mavericks will look to maintain their momentum against one of the league's weaker teams.
This game will also mark a return to Charlotte for Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, who spent the first five years of his professional career with the Hornets.
Washington has started in 34 out of 35 games for Dallas this season, averaging 13.1 points and a career-high 7.8 rebounds per game.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets Recap JAN 20TH 2025
LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges each scored 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets notched their first three-game winning streak of the season, defeating the visiting Dallas Mavericks 110-105 on Monday afternoon.
Nick Smith Jr. finished with 19 points and Mark Williams scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter after missing stretches because of foul trouble for Charlotte, which hit 17 shots from 3-point range. Reserves Moussa Diabate and Cody Martin each added 10 points for the Hornets.
Kyrie Irving's 33 points and Daniel Gafford's season-high 31 points were tops for the Mavericks, who managed to score only five points in the last six minutes. Dallas was 6-for-32 (18.8 percent) on 3s.
A 10-0 run gave the Mavericks a 100-94 lead with less than 6 1/2 minutes remaining. Smith's 3-pointer put the Hornets in the lead at 105-102.
The Hornets were up 107-103 on Williams dunk at the 2:59 mark, and then the offenses hit rough patches.
Gafford scored off an offensive rebound with 1:31 remaining. That was the only field goal for Dallas in the last 5 1/2 minutes.
Ball went 1-for-2 on free throws with 13 seconds to play before Klay Thompson was off the mark on a potential tying 3-pointer for the Mavericks. Charlotte's Josh Green sealed the outcome with two free throws.
Williams grabbed 13 rebounds and Ball handed out nine assists. Seven of the Hornets' 11 victories have come in home games.
Irving scored 10 points in the third quarter, and the Dallas lead was 83-82 entering the fourth quarter.
Gafford entered the day averaging 11.7 points per game, but he went above 25 points for the second time this season -- both in a three-game stretch. His performance in the lane also put Williams in foul trouble.
The score was knotted at 55-55 at halftime, with Gafford at 21 points and Ball at 20. Ten of Charlotte's 19 first-half goals were 3-pointers, with Ball sinking five of those.