The Charlotte Hornets visit the Dallas Mavericks in the middle of the NBA regular season. The game takes place at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8:30 PM. Fans can catch the action on FDSS.
The Hornets have a season record of 20-28 under Head Coach Charles Lee. They hold an 11-15 record on the road and are on a four-game winning streak. The Mavericks, led by Head Coach Jason Kidd, have a 19-28 season record with a 14-13 record at home. They are looking to bounce back after two losses. Both teams are seeking to improve their standings in their respective conferences.
Charlotte Hornets Team Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have been performing well recently, winning their last three games. They secured a notable win against the Memphis Grizzlies with a 112-97 score. Moussa Diabaté was key, scoring 18 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
Brandon Miller is a standout player for the Hornets. He averages 20.5 points per game this season. He scored 26 points against the Grizzlies and 30 points against the 76ers, showing consistent scoring ability.
The Hornets’ offensive strength lies in their three-point shooting. They make 15.2 three-pointers per game, ranking third in the league. Their defense is effective too, allowing only 114.6 points per game, which places them 12th in the league.
Dallas Mavericks Team Preview
The Dallas Mavericks are looking to improve their performance after recent games. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves by 13 points, with P.J. Washington scoring 21 points. In a prior game, they lost by 6 points to the Los Angeles Lakers, despite Naji Marshall scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
This season, the Mavericks have an average of 114.1 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league. Their field goal percentage stands at 47.2, which ranks 11th. However, their three-point shooting is a concern, ranking 25th in percentage at 34.2 and 28th in three-pointers made per game.
Anthony Davis is out for at least six weeks due to a hand injury. Klay Thompson’s status is uncertain due to a knee injury. Cooper Flagg is also questionable with an ankle injury, which affects the team’s depth and performance on the court.
Betting Prediction
The Hornets are favored by 4.0 points in this game. They have strong offensive stats, scoring 116.2 points per game. This ranks them 16th in the league for points per game, which suggests they can cover the spread against the Mavericks.
The Mavericks allow 116.6 points per game, ranking them 21st in the league for defense. This makes it likely for the Hornets to score enough points. The Hornets’ ability to make three-pointers, ranking 3rd in made threes per game, could be a big factor in this game.
The Hornets also excel in steals, averaging 6.8 per game, which ranks them 1st in the league. This defensive strength might disrupt the Mavericks’ offense. With these factors, the Hornets covering the spread seems like a good bet.
- Pick: Hornets -4.0
