Almost exactly a month ago, New Orleans (11-21) sustained what could be considered its most disappointing road defeat of the regular season, dropping a 91-81 decision in Dallas on Nov. 27. Those 81 points are the second-fewest the Pelicans have scored in a game all season (they had 79 at San Antonio on Oct. 29), part of a 1-9 record overall when they’ve been held under 100 points in 2016-17. Just as discouragingly, they were facing a Mavericks team that had several key players sidelined.
The Dallas squad that will take the floor Monday at the Smoothie King Center will look quite a bit different personnel-wise, partly because perennial All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki has returned from injury.