Pelicans Hold Off Mavericks 101-97 in Dallas

Home Loss for Dallas

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks 101-97 in a preseason game Wednesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, before 17,140 fans. New Orleans is 2-1 in the preseason, and Dallas is 1-2.

Early Lead and First Half Control

New Orleans led 24-18 after the first quarter. Jeremiah Fears scored nine points in the period. The Pelicans outscored Dallas 32-27 in the second quarter and led 56-45 at halftime.

Karlo Matkovic and Trey Murphy III helped build the lead for New Orleans, while John Poulakidas and Seth Lundy hit 3-pointers for Dallas.

Third Quarter

The Pelicans won the third quarter 19-18 and led 75-63 after three. Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones scored inside for New Orleans. Tobi Lawal scored six points in the period for Dallas, including two dunks set up by Sergio de Larrea.

Fourth Quarter Rally

Dallas outscored New Orleans 34-26 in the fourth quarter. De Larrea and Tarik Biberovic each hit 3-pointers, and Lundy's dunk cut the lead to 98-95 with 33 seconds left. Jaron Pierre Jr. made two free throws on the next possession, and AJ Johnson added the final free throw with less than a second left.

Leaders

Fears finished with 16 points and five assists, and Derik Queen had 11 rebounds for New Orleans. Lawal and Poulakidas each scored 16 for Dallas, de Larrea had 10 points and six assists, and P.J. Washington had seven rebounds.

Sources

ESPN