While a five game home stand with guests like the Lakers and Mavericks may not seem all too formidable, five games in six nights certainly is, and the Pelicans will need to find time for as much rest as they can. New Orleans will need to collect that rest by bludgeoning their opponents early and forcing surrender.
Enter the Dallas Mavericks, who drag their walking wounded with them to the Smoothie King Center. The Mavericks will be forced to play without their young star, Dennis Smith Jr (ankle), and Wesley Matthews (broken leg). In addition, J.