Mavericks Snap Pelicans Streak at 5

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The offenses of both teams were clicking on all cylinders in a high scoring first half. Only one was able to keep that success going in the third quarter.

Unfortunately, the Pels were not that one.

The Mavericks (40-22) won the third quarter 25-13 thanks to a long dry spell from New Orleans (32-28) that contributed to a 16-2 run for Dallas. This stretch alone proved to be enough for the Mavs to hold on to.

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Though the final score was 102-93, the Pelicans offense was still very efficient. They shot 47.3% from the field, and 47.6% from three point range, totals that no coach should be disappointed with.

The Pels just play at such a slow pace that the final score usually does not do them justice.

Mar 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) shoots against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The same can be said for Dallas, who were simply scorching all night long. Though they lagged behind in three point percentage (37.5%) those points were made up at the free throw line, where they outscored the Pels 20-13.

The Pelicans were red hot from three point range in the first half, shooting 9-17.

In last night’s tough win against the Denver Nuggets, the Pels produced a lot of good three point looks but could not knock them down.

Tonight the entire team made an early effort to not only execute the plays, but finish them with a make.

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That effort came to a screeching halt in the second half, where they only shot 1-4 from behind the arc. It was disappointing that they did not get as many threes up, but at the same time they stayed in the flow of the offense.

Again, the offense for this team has been working so it is safe to trust that this dip was an aberration.

Mar 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward dante Cunningham (44) has hi shot blocked by Dallas Mavericks center Bernard James (55) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

I love Dante Cunningham and everything he has brought to this team, but tonight his shot just was not falling.

His 6-15 was the lone poor percentage for the Pels tonight. The Mavs gave him the shot he likes for most of the night, which is the long two.

Usually Dante hits with enough frequency to silence the analytics for a while, but he showed tonight that even he can have some off nights.

Alexis Ajinca and Norris Cole led the way for the Pels bench with 13 and 19 points respectively.

Cole, who led the team in scoring tonight, was knocking down pull up jumpers with ease. After a rough 0-10 game just a few nights ago, it was good to see the young guard settle back into his comfort zone.

Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans had average games. Gordon was 4-7 from deep, but was 0-4 from everywhere else. Conversely, Tyreke was 1-5 from deep but finished the game 6-14 from the field.

The pair did manage to put together 10 free throw attempts, knocking down each one. This Pels team as a whole has struggled to get to the line this season, so hopefully this is one trend that keeps moving in the right direction

Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis carried the load offensively for the Mavs. These two combined for 39 points, most of which came in the paint or just outside of it.

Throw Devin Harris into the mix, who had 14 points of his own, and it is easy to see that the Pels just could not contain the Dallas guards. Games like this serve a good reminder to fans of just how important Jrue Holiday is on the defensive end of the floor.

Even with Tyson Chandler out, the Dallas big men still got the job done.

Mar 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks (left to right) forward Chandler Parsons , center Tyson Chandler and forward Dirk Nowitzki sit on the bench during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki, who finished with 14 points, made three 3s in the second half to help pull away from the Pels. Amar’e Stoudemire (14 points) was a tough cover all night, forcing his strong frame into the paint.

What all of the Mavericks had in common tonight was their aggressiveness in the paint, where they outscored the Pelicans 50-24.

Even without key cogs Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler, the Mavs are still among the Western Conference’s best.

A five game win streak without three of the team’s best players is nothing to throw to the curb. Tonight was a night where even the best of efforts was just not enough. As long as they keep beating teams they are supposed to, the Pels will be in good shape.

Hopefully Anthony Davis can return to the floor soon to help win said games as soon as Wednesday night, when the Pels take on the Detroit Pistons back in New Orleans.

Next: Pelicans Reserves Rising to Recent Challenges