Pelicans' Asik out again vs. Mavs

The New Orleans Pelicans will once again have to try and end their winless start to the season without Omer Asik, as the center will miss a third consecutive contest on Saturday due to a right calf strain.

Asik has only appeared in one of the team's six games thus far, logging 10 minutes in a loss to the Golden State Warriors last weekend.

The 29-year-old big man averaged 7.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in 26 minutes per game last season for the Pelicans, who have started 2014-15 with five straight losses.

With fellow big Kendrick Perkins - who started the first three games - sidelined by a pectoral tear, Alexis Ajinca will once again start at the five-spot for New Orleans.