Fri Feb 28 00:20:00 UTC 2025: **Mavericks Look to Exploit Hornets’ Slump, LaMelo Ball’s Struggles**
Dallas, TX – The Dallas Mavericks face the struggling Charlotte Hornets tonight, hoping to capitalize on Charlotte’s recent freefall and the subpar performance of their star player, LaMelo Ball. The Hornets have lost their last four games by an average of 36.3 points, fueling speculation that they are actively tanking for a better draft position.
Ball, returning from an ankle injury, is shooting a dismal 32.9% from the field since his return. This significant drop from his season average of 41.9% has prompted questions about the severity of his injury and whether his diminished performance is also related to the team’s tanking efforts.
Despite the Mavericks’ own defensive struggles, ranking 26th in defensive rating since January 20th, sports analyst Douglas Farmer predicts that Ball will remain underperforming. Farmer’s best bet is LaMelo Ball to score under 24.5 points, citing Ball’s poor shooting and the possibility that his ankle injury is worse than reported. He also suggests betting the Hornets team total under 108.5 points, given their recent offensive woes. The Hornets have consistently fallen short of projected point totals in their last ten games.
The game presents an opportunity for the Mavericks to improve their defensive standing, while simultaneously highlighting the challenges faced by a young, struggling Hornets team navigating a potential tanking strategy.
First Piper 