Charlotte Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction | 01.29.26

Charlotte Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 29-01-2026

Get ready for a compelling regular-season matchup as the Charlotte Hornets (20-28) travel to face the Dallas Mavericks (19-28) on January 29, 2026, at 8:30 PM EST in the American Airlines Center, Dallas. This game presents a fascinating dynamic, heavily influenced by recent team performance and, critically, extensive injury reports.

Charlotte Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks Matchup Preview

Charlotte Hornets Key Stats & Trends

The Charlotte Hornets enter this contest with a slightly better record, showcasing flashes of potential despite their inconsistencies. Their offense is spearheaded by Brandon Miller, who leads the team with an impressive 20.4 points per game. Playmaking duties fall to LaMelo Ball, who orchestrates the offense with 7.6 assists per game and contributes across the board with a comprehensive 19.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.2 BPG. On the glass, Moussa Diabate has been a force, pulling down 8.3 rebounds per game. While the Hornets have struggled for consistent wins, their core offensive talent remains largely intact, offering significant scoring potential.

Injury Report Charlotte Hornets

• KJ Simpson (Out): Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the 76ers.
• Mason Plumlee (Out): Plumlee underwent surgery to address his right groin injury and will be reevaluated in six weeks, the Hornets announced.

Dallas Mavericks Key Stats & Trends

The Dallas Mavericks, despite their similar record, face an uphill battle in this matchup due to a catastrophic injury situation. While Cooper Flagg has been a statistical bright spot with 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, he is among the many key players sidelined. P.J. Washington contributes with 7.2 rebounds per game, and Ryan Nembhard leads the active roster in playmaking with 5.1 assists per game. However, the sheer volume of high-impact players missing will severely test Dallas’s depth and offensive capabilities.

Injury Report Dallas Mavericks

• Klay Thompson (Out): Thompson (knee) won’t play in Wednesday’s game against Minnesota, per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com.
• Cooper Flagg (Out): Flagg (ankle) won’t play in Wednesday’s game against Minnesota, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
• Anthony Davis (Out): A second opinion revealed Davis (finger) won’t require surgery, and he’ll be re-evaluated in six weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
• Dereck Lively II (Out): Lively successfully underwent surgery on his right foot Sunday.
• Kyrie Irving (Out): Irving (knee) remains out indefinitely and doesn’t have a return timetable, Mavericks reporter Grant Afseth said during an appearance on HoopsHype’s podcast ‘Around the Beat’ on Friday.
• Dante Exum (Out): The Mavericks announced Thursday that Exum will undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Charlotte Hornets vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction & Best Bet

Given the extensive injury list for the Dallas Mavericks, this game leans heavily in favor of the Charlotte Hornets. Dallas will be without Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum – an unprecedented loss of star power and key rotation players. While the Hornets have their own injuries with Simpson and Plumlee, their primary offensive catalysts in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are expected to play. The Mavericks will struggle immensely to generate consistent offense and defensive cohesion without their main components. Expect the Hornets to capitalize on Dallas’s depleted roster.

Prediction: Charlotte Hornets -3.5 (Spread)

With so many key offensive players out for Dallas, their scoring output will be severely hampered. Charlotte’s offense, while capable, isn’t known for consistently exploding against strong defenses, and the pace might slow down with Dallas struggling to convert. Therefore, the total points line of 228.5 feels high given the circumstances.

Total Points: Under 228.5