Dallas @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 4, 2020 ) Charlotte 123, Dallas 120

The Dallas Mavericks saw the front end of a road back-to-back result in a heartbreaking last-second loss. They'll try for a quick bounceback when they wrap up the double dip at the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.

The Mavericks fell to 2-3 since losing All-Star guard Luka Doncic to a sprained ankle when they dropped a 119-118 decision at Washington on Friday on Wizards guard Bradley Beal's buzzer-beating layup. "We made a mistake on defense and they made a great play," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "But the game was lost throughout. We had too many miscommunications and it was a collection of defensive mistakes over 47 minutes and, you know, 58.2 seconds or whatever it was, that led to this." The Hornets have lost four in a row and 12 of their last 13 since a 123-120 overtime win at Dallas on January 4. They led by 12 after one quarter at Houston on Tuesday before getting blitzed through the final three periods en route to a 125-110 loss.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: FS Southwest, FS Southeast

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (31-21): Already without Doncic for the fifth consecutive game, Dallas didn't get the best effort from fellow star Kristaps Porzingis on Friday as he played two nights after sustaining a broken nose in a loss to Memphis. The 7-3 forward was held to 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting after averaging 35 on 53.3 precent shooting over his previous three games. Carlisle indicated earlier Friday that Doncic is on track to play before the All-Star break, meaning he could return Monday against Utah or Wednesday against Sacramento.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (16-35): Charlotte stood pat at the trade deadline and figures to continue its build around the backcourt of Devonte' Graham and Terry Rozier, who combined for 36 points and 14 assists in the loss to the Rockets. "The plan all along has been to play the young guys," coach James Borrego told reporters Tuesday. "I think for the most part, we've stuck to that plan. There are (young) guys we're leaning on a little bit more now, minutes-wise. The goal now is to get these young guys experience. The more the better." Another building block is 21-year-old forward Miles Bridges, who is averaging 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in three games this month.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets F Marvin Williams is reportedly finalizing a buyout from the team in order to sign with a contender.

2. Mavericks SG Seth Curry scored a team-high 20 points Friday but was 6-of-18 from the floor.

3. Rozier and Graham combined for 56 points and 21 assists in the win at Dallas last month.

PREDICTION: Hornets 111, Mavericks 107