Most NBA teams have certain tendencies. Charlotte usually is tough as an underdog. The Hornets are 8-0-1 ATS the past nine times catching points. They just knocked off the Nets, 106-104, as 11-point home 'dogs this past Sunday. 
Dallas is good as an underdog, not so good as a home favorite and not very trustworthy following a victory. The Mavericks are coming off an historic, 124-73, road victory against the Clippers this past Sunday in which they led by an NBA-record 50 points at halftime. 
Now the Mavericks are playing their first home contest of the season after consecutive road games versus the much-improved Suns, defending world champion Lakers and Clippers. Dallas hosts Eastern Conference champion Miami on Friday. In between all of this is this game against the lowly Hornets. 
So the Mavericks' intensity and concentration level figures to be down. Dallas has covered just 29 percent of the time following a victory during the past 30 instances. 
Charlotte has some confidence following its victory against Brooklyn. The Hornets should get better as the season progresses integrating two significant newcomers, free agent Gordon Hayward and third overall draft pick LaMelo Ball. 
The timing of this matchup should result in a closer than expected contest.