Without Jrue Holiday, the New Orleans Pelicans (41-30) needed someone to step up and help them get a win over the lowly Dallas Mavericks (22-49). Ian Clark was that guy on Tuesday night, coming off the bench with 19 points and went 9/15 shooting helping the Pelicans get a 115-105 win over the Mavericks, taking the overall series.
Key to Victory: Strong Start to Third Quarter
The Pelicans third quarter performances as of late has been good, but their start to the third quarter was fantastic. New Orleans was able to get out in front 64-57 thanks to a 10-5 run highlighted by E’Twaun Moore putting up five points. If the defensive performance was better, they could have put the game out of reach instead they were tied at up at 80 points thanks to a last second three from Anthony Davis.
Play of the Game: Davis Incredible Alley-Oop
SEND IT IN AD! #doitBIG
On @FOXSportsNOLA #AD4MVP pic.twitter.com/e6C0NrDD4R
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 21, 2018
Big Number of the Game: 71.4
Anthony Davis’ field goal percentage on Tuesday night. He also went 66% from three-point range en route to a 34-point ballgame. It’s the sixth time in the month of March that he shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Where Do They Stand?
After the win, New Orleans currently stands at fifth place in the Western Conference since the San Antonio Spurs didn’t play on Tuesday. Some more good news for the Pelicans came later in the evening when the Utah Jazz fell to the Atlanta Hawks, dropping them to 40-31.
If the Pelicans can win the next two ballgames at home against the Pacers and Lakers, they will be in fourth place thanks to the Boston Celtics taking down the Thunder 100-99.
Next Up: The Pelicans will take on the Indiana Pacers (41-30) with tipoff at 7 pm.
-Clint Domingue