Barring an unexpected change, the injury absence of Andrew Bogut (right knee) for Monday’s game at New Orleans likely means Dallas will go with its version of a small lineup to begin the Southwest Division matchup. Unlike the Pelicans’ recent games against teams like Miami, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia, that means the opponent won’t feature a conventional low-post big man, as New Orleans (11-21) will be forced to adjust defensively, perhaps putting Anthony Davis on Dirk Nowitzki.
During the Mavericks’ most recent game, a Friday win at the Clippers, Nowitzki started at center, logging 15 minutes and scoring 17 points in a return from an Achilles strain injury.