Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions for Monday March 16 2026
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The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans face off on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on GCSEN, Pelicans.com, and KFAA-TV. At the time of this writing the moneyline was not listed, the total was not listed, and the spread was not listed. Be sure to check out our free NBA picks for more analysis and predictions on today’s basketball action.
Mavericks Looking to Build Momentum
The Dallas Mavericks enter this matchup with a 23-45 overall record and have struggled away from home this season with a 9-24 road record. Dallas has been inconsistent throughout the season but has shown flashes of strong offensive play at times. Over their last five games, the Mavericks recently won over the Cleveland Cavaliers, won over the Memphis Grizzlies, while also recently losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing to the Atlanta Hawks, and losing to the Toronto Raptors.
From a statistical standpoint, Dallas has produced respectable offensive numbers but has had trouble defensively. The Mavericks are averaging 112.9 points per game, but they are allowing 118.1 points per game, which has been one of the key issues this season. They are shooting 47% from the field, and they have been active on the glass with 44.9 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also distribute the ball fairly well, averaging 24.9 assists per game.
One area where Dallas has shown some strength is their defensive activity around the rim. The team averages 5.3 blocks per game, along with 7.3 steals per contest, which can create extra opportunities in transition. However, their inability to consistently limit opposing scoring has often put them in difficult situations late in games.
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Pelicans Hoping to Defend Home Court
The New Orleans Pelicans come into this matchup with a 22-46 overall record, including a 13-21 home record this season. While the Pelicans have also struggled overall, they have shown the ability to compete in recent games. In their last five contests, New Orleans recently lost to the Houston Rockets, but they also won over the Toronto Raptors, won over the Washington Wizards, won over the Sacramento Kings, and lost to the Phoenix Suns.
Offensively, the Pelicans are averaging 115.4 points per game, which is slightly higher than Dallas this season. However, defense has been a major concern as they are allowing 119.8 points per game. New Orleans is shooting 46% from the field, while averaging 44.0 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per contest, showing that they can move the ball effectively and generate scoring opportunities.
Defensively, the Pelicans have been active in forcing turnovers, recording 8.8 steals per game and 5.0 blocks per contest. When they are able to create turnovers and push the tempo, New Orleans can generate easy points in transition. However, their defensive consistency remains a challenge, particularly against teams that can score efficiently.
Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick
Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Spread Pick
- Dallas Mavericks
Even though Dallas has struggled this season, they have shown the ability to compete offensively and recently picked up a strong win over Cleveland. The Mavericks have slightly better defensive numbers compared to New Orleans, and their rebounding advantage could play a key role in this matchup. With both teams struggling defensively, the Mavericks’ ability to control the glass and generate second-chance opportunities gives them a slight edge in what could be a competitive game.
Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Total Pick
- Over
I like the over in this matchup because both teams have struggled defensively throughout the season. Dallas allows over 118 points per game, while New Orleans allows nearly 120 points per contest. With both teams capable of scoring and neither defense consistently slowing opponents down, this game has the potential to turn into a high-scoring contest with plenty of offensive opportunities.
Final Score Prediction: Mavericks 118, Pelicans 114
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Sunday.
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