The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 131-110 inside the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night to snap a five-game losing streak. The win goes towards the NBA In-Season Tournament Pool Play games.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Pelicans debuted their new purple and green In-Season Tournament court in this game. Herb Jones paced them early on with six of the first eight points. Eventually in the first quarter, the Pels went on a run, extending out to an eight point lead after a Jonás Valanciunas dunk. After one quarter, New Orleans led 33-25.
Dallas would cut the lead to three at 37-34 on a Grant Williams three-point shot early in the second. However, that sparked another Pelicans run. In this stretch, they outscored Dallas 24-8, capped by a Jordan Hawkins three to make it 61-42 and a 19-point lead. At the half, the Pelicans led 70-54.
New Orleans was missing head coach Willie Green in this contest, who was out with an illness. It did not seem to affect the team, however, as they played with a great energy on the defensive end which translated into offense. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram had their best game of the season together so far, and the third quarter exhibited chemistry between those two players. A stretch early in the third where the two combined for seven straight of the Pelicans’ points stretched the lead out to 20 at 79-59. Dallas tried to get back into the game with three-point shooting, but the Pelicans seemed to always have an answer. At the end of three quarters, New Orleans led 114-85.
The fourth quarter would go on without much of a challenge to the lead. Dallas would never get closer than 20 in the final period. The Pelicans secured the 131-110 victory at home.
BIG NUMBER: 44
The Pelicans got 44 point combined from Zion and Ingram, which was a great sign for this team. They need their best players to lead, and the win over Dallas felt like a step forward in that regard.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brandon Ingram
Ingram had 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the win. He is starting to come around and playing better basketball for New Orleans.
UP NEXT: The Pelicans will stay at home to face the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Friday night at 7:00.