The Dallas Mavericks travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in a Southwest Division matchup between two teams trending in different offensive directions. Both clubs have recently produced high point totals, setting the stage for what is expected to be a close, high-scoring contest.
1. Game Overview
The Dallas Mavericks will face the New Orleans Pelicans on December 22, 2025. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 PM EST tip-off in New Orleans.
2. Team Form and Analysis
Dallas Mavericks (11-18)
Despite their sub-.500 record, the Mavericks have shown signs of life recently, particularly on the offensive end. The team has a record of 3-2 in their last five games and has been lighting up the scoreboard, averaging an impressive 120.8 points per game during that stretch. Their history against the Pelicans includes a recent 118-115 victory on November 21, showcasing their ability to win in a high-scoring affair. Dallas has historically had the upper hand in this series, holding a 58-30 all-time regular-season advantage over the Pelicans.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are coming off a dominant offensive performance, having defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 143-120 on December 12. This explosive output demonstrates the firepower they possess, even with key players sidelined. However, the team has been navigating a series of injuries in their frontcourt. Rookie Derik Queen has been providing valuable minutes and ranks among the top rookies in rebounds and steals per 36 minutes, but the team’s depth is being tested. The Pelicans narrowly lost to the Mavericks 118-115 in November but secured a 101-99 win earlier that month, indicating that recent contests between these two have been decided by slim margins.
3. Injury Report
The injury status of key players will be a significant factor in this matchup.
- Dallas Mavericks: The provided search results did not contain specific names of injured players for the Mavericks. Team injury reports should be checked closer to game time for the latest updates.
- New Orleans Pelicans: New Orleans is dealing with several notable injuries. Star forward Zion Williamson has been a limited participant in practice with a left foot bone contusion and his status is uncertain. The frontcourt has also been impacted by injuries to Looney, Yves Missi, and Karlo Matkovic.
4. Betting Odds Breakdown
The betting lines for this game suggest a very competitive contest.
- Spread: The Pelicans are listed as 1-point favorites (-1). This means for a bet on the Pelicans to win, they must win the game by more than one point. The Mavericks are 1-point underdogs (+1).
- Total (Over/Under): The game total is set at a high 240.5 points. Bettors can wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under that number.
- Moneyline: A standard moneyline was not provided in the search results. A -1 spread indicates the moneyline odds would be very close for both teams, reflecting a near toss-up.
5. Prediction
This game is expected to be a close battle, as reflected by the 1-point spread. The Mavericks are playing their best basketball of late, with their offense averaging over 120 points in the last five games. The Pelicans have also demonstrated their scoring ability with a recent 143-point outing.
However, the Pelicans’ injury report is a major concern. The uncertain status of Zion Williamson combined with existing injuries to several frontcourt players (Looney, Missi, Matkovic) leaves them vulnerable. While the Pelicans are at home, the Mavericks’ recent offensive consistency and the Pelicans’ depleted lineup give Dallas a slight edge. Expect a high-scoring game that goes down to the wire, with both teams likely contributing to push the score over the total.
Prediction: Mavericks 122, Pelicans 119
Sources:
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