Parsons, Felton lead Mavs past Pelicans, 100-91
In a game played without Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams, Dallas reserves Chandler Parsons and Raymond Felton stepped up in a huge way to lift the Mavericks over the Pelicans, 100-91, Wednesday evening in the Smoothie King Center.
With the loss, the Pelicans (11-23) finished the season series 2-2, against the Mavericks. The Pelicans dropped to 7-8 at home and 4-5 within the Southwest Division.
Dallas started the fourth quarter in an offensive rhythm, going on a 9-2 run to take an 80-70 lead. Following a timeout with 8:34 remaining, the Pelicans struggled to make baskets from the floor — helping the Mavericks to increase their lead to 85-76.
From there, teams traded baskets before the Pelicans went on a 6-2 run to cut the lead to 88-81, with 2:30 remaining in the game.
Davis and the Pelicans managed to cut the deficit to six in different points in the final minutes, but the Mavericks continued to score and converted their free throws to seal the victory.
Jan 6, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) reach for a rebound during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
For the game, the Pelicans shot 37 percent from the field (23 percent from three-point range) but were outrebounded 52-51 after outrebounding the Mavericks in their last meeting on Jan. 2 in Dallas.
The Mavericks converted 43 percent of their fields goals from the field and scored 16 of its points off of turnovers committed by the Pelicans.
Davis, who finished with 18 points in the first half, scored only eight points in the second half — and finished the game with 26 points and led the Pelicans in scoring. Tyreke Evans finished with 16 points, followed by Eric Gordon with 14 points. Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson also combined for 21 points off the bench.
Veteran guard Raymond Felton scored 22 points to lead the Mavericks in scoring, followed by Chandler Parsons with 21. Devin Harris and Dwight Powell were also key contributors fro the Mavericks, scoring 10 and 13 points respectively.
The Pelicans jumped out to a early 16-9 in the first quarter. The Pelicans scored in transition and knocked down some early jump shots to give them the lead. Following a timeout with 7:09 remaining, the Mavericks went on a 8-2 run to cut the Pelicans lead to 18-17. The Pelicans led 24-22 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second, the two teams continued to change baskets. The Pelicans looked to increase their two-point lead from the first quarter but the Mavericks continued to score from all areas of the floor.
Following a timeout with 5:54 remaining in the first half, Anthony Davis contributed in a big way, finishing with 18 points and helping the Pelicans take a 50-49 lead at the end of the first half.
Although they led at the half, the Pelicans shot a dismal 36 percent from the floor.
Jan 6, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry looks on during the first quarter of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Without Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams playing in the game, the Mavericks shot 42 percent from the field. Both teams grabbed 28 rebounds overall and shot above 75 percent from the charity stripe.
The Pelicans established their largest lead of the game, leading the Mavericks 58-51 early in the third quarter. Dallas, however, fought back, narrowed the Pelicans lead and trailed 66-64 with 3:26 remaining. Following the timeout, the Mavericks went on a 7-2 run to take a 71-68 lead going into the fourth quarter.
New Orleans returns to action on Friday as the Pelicans take on the Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. central time…..