Big game tonight as the Hornets battle the Mavs in New Orleans. The game tips a little after 7 p.m. Central on TNT.

The Mavs beat the Spurs 107-102 in Dallas last night, a day after Mark Cuban called out the whole team. Dallas are 37-24 on the season, just a game behind us in the standings. They’re 14-16 on the road, but have lost their last seven away in the Western Conference.

The Hornets look to build on their season-high five-game winning streak, but we’ll likely be without Peja Stojakovic (back spasms) tonight. Julian Wright is expected to start in his place.

This will be the second meeting between the Mavs and Hornets this season. We beat them 104-97 in January behind a near-quadruple-double effort by Chris Paul.

Linkage:

• Ryan’s game preview
• Lagniappe: Chris Paul video, Rasual Butler vs. other SG’s, David West vs LaMarcus Aldridge, and much more.
  
• Rival bloggers: Dallas News | Mavs Moneyball | The Two Man Game

(Many thanks to Dariusz for the banner and the above image.)