GAME 20: DAL (14-6) @ NOP (6-15) | 118-97 win

[j0Shi]

Keys:

• Playing with house money: Many thought like Mavs are playing with house money this season, and now it definitely feels this way. After going 3-1 against West playoff foes you could even live with a loss or two, in terms of the standings, even though Dallas is the favorite in the Big Easy.
  
• Taking care of business before dueling with East contenders: That doesn't mean Mavs can really relax. They have to fight off some playoff hopefuls during a long-ish home stand before a brutal stretch against East contenders, mainly on the road. Getting the W today would also be nice considering that they'll play a b2b tomorrow in which KP will likely sit.
  
• Still waiting on that KP breakout game: Talking about Porzingis: We're still waiting on his breakout game. On paper New Orleans doesn't really have an answer for him. So let's see.
  
• Holiday vs. Luka: The Player of the Month in the Western Conference will face yet another challenge in Jrue Holiday, who is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He had sort of a slow start, but is getting better and better. Of course Luka is something else.
  
• Pels better than their record: New Orleans might own a bad record and are currently losers of five straight, but they all games relatively close against some quality opponents (Lakers, Utah, Thunder). The only blowout was at Clippers.