The Mavs meet up with the Hornets again almost two weeks since their last meeting. Dec. 1, the Mavs allowed a come-from-behind win to a young Hornets team that seemed to want the win just a little bit more.
Different paths since
Since that game, the Mavericks have played a bit more basketball than the Hornets. New Orleans has played four games since Dec. 1―three of which were at home. On the other side, the Mavs have played six games, four of which were on the road. The Mavs come home tonight after a short two-game road trip, and the Hornets are wrapping up their own two-game road trip after losing Wednesday in Denver.
Chris Paul has been ridiculous
In his last three games, Chris Paul has been on fire. He's averaged 34 points, 10.3 assists and is shooting 58.7 percent from the floor and has also been uncharacteristically lighting it up from three-point range by hitting seven three-pointers over that three-game stretch. His pinnacle game (and his best game as a pro) was against Memphis exactly one week ago. He scored a career-high 43 points, 9 assists, 4 steals and shot 15 of 27 from the floor. Paul hit the Mavs up for 33 points and a near triple double in their last meeting, and they'll have their hands full again with one of the top point guards in the league.
Peja is questionable
Veteran sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic has been out for the last two games with a groin injury and is questionable for tonight's game. If Peja doesn't play, the Hornets will miss out on a big three-point presence and will have to rely on more minutes from Janerro Pargo and Rasual Butler. Morris Peterson is also having health issues and may not play.
Random useless fact
The Hornets all-time leading scorer is Dell Curry with 9,839 points over 10 seasons.
-Scooter Hendon, Hoops Nerd
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