Preview: Mavericks (9-7) at Hornets (3-12)

Earl K. Sneed reports from New Orleans and previews the Dallas Mavericks' matchup against the Hornets Saturday night. The defending champs will try to end their four-game road trip by building off Thursday night's win in Utah.

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Were it not for two game-winning 3-pointers against them, the Dallas Mavericks could very easily be winners of eight in a roll heading into Saturday night’s matchup with the New Orleans Hornets.

Having their five-game win streak snapped before falling a second time in three days at the Staples Center on deciding late-game shots from behind the arc by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher and Clippers’ Chauncey Billups, the defending champion Mavericks (9-7) were left scratching their skulls. But the team responded Thursday night in the third matchup of their current four-game road trip, going into the hostile EnergySolutions Arena and coming away with a hard-fought 94-91 victory over the Utah Jazz.

“It’s as good a win as we have had all year for a lot of reasons,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle proclaimed after the win in Salt Lake City. “No. 1, what we have been through the last couple of games, and to bounce back is huge.”

Saturday night in New Orleans, against the Southwest Division rival Hornets, the champs will try to repeat that type of performance as they conclude the trip away from home against a familiar foe. Versus a struggling squad that has dropped six straight contests overall, the Mavs will also try to end an 11-game road losing streak -- playoffs included -- to the Hornets.

“We’ve gotta have this win Saturday,” reserve guard Jason Terry said, “to make up for those two (losses in L.A.). These two are must-win games for us and we should be 3-0.”

The Mavs lead the season series 1-0 after six players scored in double figures during a 96-81 home win on Jan. 7. That night the Mavs saw the new-look Hornets (3-12) for the first time since the franchise-altering trade of All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Clippers. The Hornets were also minus budding star Eric Gordon that night due to swelling in his knee, as will be the case again while the Western Conference’s worst team tries to end a seven-game skid at home without him.

With that said, the Mavericks will be looking to build off their last victory against the slumping opposition, trying to get a similar contribution two nights later from two key pieces to the puzzle.

With leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki scoring just 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting and Terry a pedestrian 3-of-14 (2-of-10 from 3-point range), the Mavs put the ball in the hands of veteran forward Shawn Marion and young guard Rodrigue Beaubois. The two did not disappoint.

Both produced season-highs in scoring as Marion led all Dallas scorers with a team-high 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting, while Beaubois finished with 17 points off the bench after hitting 5-of-11 from the field.

“Myself and JET [Terry] couldn’t get anything going, so Roddy and ‘Trix [Marion] definitely bailed us out,” Nowitzki said.

“Offensively, we had a rhythm. Roddy Beaubois stepped up. If we can get that from him on a consistent basis we’re gonna be a heck of a team,” Terry added.

Marion’s night came as no surprise with the former four-time All-Star fully capable of going for a big game every time he laces up a pair of sneakers. But Beaubois’ explosion is what seemed to be the topic of discussion amongst his teammates and coach as the young Frenchman continues to improve in his third season.

“It was just one game. For sure, I did some good things but I just wanted to be very active. We needed to win this one after the last two games we lost,” Beaubois explained.

And with the team looking for a similar performance from Beaubois in New Orleans Arena to wrap up the road trip, you can bet that Carlisle will again put the ball in his hands.

“[Beaubois] was great and we couldn’t have won the game without him,” Carlisle concluded. “With him, it’s all about developing consistency. He’ll throw two or three good games together and then the Clipper game was a step back. But [Thursday night], he came out, he settled the score and got it right. … He’s really important. His quickness we can’t replace, and when he plays the way he did … he’s an energy player for us, which is really key.”

Note: The Mavericks will conclude their four-game road trip in New Orleans against the Hornets Saturday night. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7 p.m. CT. The Mavs lead the season series 1-0.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.