Dallas guard Kyrie Irving is shooting 41.3% from 3-point range this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans (13-42) go for a second straight victory when they take on the Dallas Mavericks (30-26) on Friday (8:30 ET, League Pass). The new-look Mavs will try to extend their win streak to three games.
Here are five players to keep an eye on:
- Trey Murphy III taking a leap: The fourth-year forward is putting up career-high numbers across the board, averaging 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 35.6 minutes a night. Over a three-game stretch (from Jan. 29 – Feb. 3), he averaged 37.7 points while shooting 70.7% from the field, including back-to-back games with 40-plus points. In the Pelicans win over the Kings on Feb. 13 that snapped their 10-game losing streak, Murphy III finished one rebound shy of his first career triple-double, recording 18 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in 44 minutes.
- CJ McCollum leading the way: The veteran guard has provided leadership through an injury-riddled campaign for the Pelicans. The 33-year-old has been impressive in his third full season in New Orleans, with averages of 22.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 33.5 minutes. He turned in his most memorable performance of the year just before the All-Star Break, going off for a season-high 43 points with seven rebounds on 16-for-25 shooting from the floor and 7-for-12 from three-point range.
- Zion Williamson could be available: The former No. 1 pick has only appeared in 18 of 55 games this season due to hamstring issues but has a chance to suit up after sitting out the second night of a back-to-back before the break. Over his last three games, the 2019 first overall pick has popped for 30.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals in only 27.2 minutes. He’ll provide a much-needed boost for New Orleans’ 25th-ranked offense.
- Kyrie Irving in takeover mode: The veteran All-Star guard is the unquestioned alpha for the Mavericks while Anthony Davis recovers from an adductor strain. In the two games leading up to All-Star weekend, Irving caught fire with 36.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals with beyond impressive efficiency, shooting above 50.0% from the field and three-point range in 41.9 minutes.
- Max Christie proving to be a steal: Christie has become a pivotal piece for the Mavericks after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline. In the six appearances for his new club, the third-year guard is averaging 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.5 minutes, drilling 45.5% of his 5.5 attempts a night from 3-point territory. Christie started the last two games while Irving and Klay Thompson sat out with injuries, and he’s earned a significant role in Dallas’ rotation moving forward.
