The Celtics need to execute better, especially during fourth-quarter possessions. They also need to sharpen up on offense and defense.

Tonight, the Mavericks travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in a road game and their second-straight against a team with a bottom-five record in the NB

The New Orleans Pelicans gave a crucial injury update surrounding Dejounte Murray ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

For Dallas, the list of Monday DNPs during a win over Washington was lengthy, including Luka Doncic (calf), Dereck Lively (ankle), Naji Marshall (illness), Maxi Kleber (foot), Dwight Powell (hip) and Dante Exum (wrist).

Immediately, fans started firing up the trade machine. With a bevy of draft picks, the Spurs can make a deal that would allow the Kings to rebuild, although with Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and DeMar DeRozan on the roster, perhaps the Kings don't want to embrace a tank.

The Hawks have a protected first-round pick from the Sacramento Kings, an unprotected pick from the Los Angeles Lakers and a $23.5 million trade exception from Murray’s subsequent trade to the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the Hawks are also just $1.3 million from the luxury tax line and historically haven’t been willing to go over.

P.J. Washington scored 25 points, making all four of his 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, and Kyrie Irving added 25 points and six assists as the Dallas Mavericks outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans 137-136.

Murray (finger) has been listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks. After missing Saturday's loss to the Hornets, Murray returned to the floor for the Pelicans in Monday's loss to the Raptors.

According to Bovada, the Pelicans have the eighth-best odds (+1400) to land Fox from the Kings via trade. The Miami Heat are the favorite (+450) to land him followed by the San Antonio Spurs (+500) and Minnesota Timberwolves (+500).

Teases triple-double in return

Will New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Dejounte Murray be playing against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night?

Dejounte Murray was finally able to let out some of the emotions he’s kept pent up inside him this season. He pounded his chest Wednesday night as he made his way back up the Smoothie King Center floor. He hopped around on one leg, right arm still hanging in the air after burying one of his four 3-pointers.