Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Hornets), KFAA / MavsTV (Mavericks); local radio on 97.1 The Ticket (Mavs)
The Mavericks roll into Charlotte on a lengthy road trip as one of the NBA’s most injury-riddled and struggling teams, sitting 12th in the Western Conference. The Hornets, meanwhile, sit 10th in the East (4th in the Southeast) and enter riding momentum with a winning streak. This matchup favors Charlotte heavily due to home-court advantage, superior health, and recent form.
Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks (extensive absences):
- Cooper Flagg (SF, rookie) – Out (left midfoot sprain; unlikely for this game and multiple prior contests)
- Kyrie Irving (PG) – Out (left knee surgery; season-ending)
- P.J. Washington (PF) – Out (left ankle / concussion protocol)
- Naji Marshall (SF) – Out (finger)
- Marvin Bagley III (PF) – Out (neck)
- Klay Thompson (SG) – GTD / Day-to-Day (hip / adductor contusion)
- Dereck Lively II (C) – Out (foot; long-term)
- Others: Multiple two-way/G-League call-ups filling minutes
Charlotte Hornets: No reported injuries. Full strength, with the entire rotation available.
The Mavericks are playing without their top young talent (Flagg), star guard (Irving), and several key rotation pieces, relying heavily on role players and recent acquisitions like Caleb Martin, Max Christie, and veterans such as Daniel Gafford or Dwight Powell.
Recent Form
Mavericks (last 5-10 games): Struggling mightily. Recent results include:
- L 87-100 vs. OKC (March 1)
- L vs. Memphis
- L vs. Sacramento (121-130)
- W @ Brooklyn (recent road win)
They have dropped the majority of their last 10-12 contests, with poor offensive efficiency and defensive lapses exacerbated by injuries.
Hornets (last 5-10 games): Surging. They have won 4 straight (including a 109-93 win vs. Portland on Feb. 28 and a 133-109 road win vs. Indiana). Earlier hot streak featured an 8-game road winning run. In their last 10 games they are approximately 7-3, averaging strong offensive output (120+ PPG in wins) with improved defense and rebounding.
Series History
All-time regular season: Mavericks lead 45-25.
In the 2025-26 season: Hornets won the most recent meeting on Jan. 29, 2026 (123-121 in Dallas). Charlotte has shown the ability to compete or win close games against Dallas recently, and with the Mavericks’ current roster depletion, the trend favors the home team.
Key Player Matchups
- LaMelo Ball (Hornets PG, ~19.3 PPG, 7.4 APG) vs. Mavericks backcourt (likely Ryan Nembhard / Brandon Williams / AJ Johnson): Ball’s playmaking and scoring volume should overwhelm a makeshift Dallas guard group. Expect high-assist nights and transition buckets.
- Brandon Miller (Hornets SF, team-high ~21.0 PPG) / Kon Knueppel (rookie wing, ~19 PPG) vs. Max Christie / Caleb Martin (Mavericks wings): Miller and Knueppel provide elite shooting and size; Dallas’ wings will struggle to contain the Hornets’ perimeter attack without Thompson or Marshall.
- Miles Bridges (Hornets PF, ~17.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG) vs. Dallas frontcourt (Gafford / Powell / Middleton minutes): Bridges’ athleticism and rebounding give Charlotte an edge on the glass against a depleted, smaller Mavericks front line.
- Interior / Bench: Hornets’ Ryan Kalkbrenner (C) and depth (Coby White, Josh Green) provide fresh legs and versatility that Dallas’ injury-riddled bench cannot match.
Betting Trends
- Hornets are 5-0 or 6-0 ATS in recent home games / winning streak contests.
- Hornets are 4-1 or better ATS in their last 5 overall.
- Mavericks are poor ATS as road underdogs (especially 2-5+ in similar spots recently).
- Hornets have covered comfortably in blowout-style wins during their streak.
- The total has gone under in several recent Hornets home games but over in high-pace road wins; expect a lean toward the over if Dallas forces tempo.
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 229.5
Charlotte Hornets – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 2, 2026
