The Dallas Mavericks defeated the depleted New Orleans Pelicans 127-117 on Saturday night behind the performance of Luka Doncic. Who finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his ninth triple-double of the year.
Luka Doncic Dallas beats Pelicans roughly
Dallas jumped out to a 34-15 advantage after the first quarter. Doncic began slowly, but eventually scored 11 of his team’s final 11 points to conclude the session with 14 points.
Luka Doncic did not act as if he was unaware of his triple double. “I mean, they’re right there on the board, so I’m aware,” he explained. Also Read: Charlotte Hornets tie NBA 1st-quarter record with 51 points
Christian Wood led the Mavericks with 28 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18, Jahardy Hardy had 15, and Spencer Dinwiddie had 12. As they raced to a 19-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
The Pelicans played without their top three scorers, Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (toe), and CJ McCollum (rest). Who average a combined 67 points per game? Jonas Valanciunas had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Naji Marshall added a career-high 24.
In the first half, the Pelicans’ deficit reached 23 points. But Alvarado scored six points in a row to pull them within 14 early in the third quarter.
Before Alvarado sank a 3-pointer and helped Jones score to cut the Mavericks’ advantage to 78-67, the Mavericks had extended their lead to 18.
Dallas led 97-81 going into the fourth quarter, and although New Orleans closed to within six points with 32 seconds left, they were unable to get any closer.
The Pelicans laboured through an extremely chilly first quarter as the Mavericks took control of the game. Also Read: Lauri Markkanen scores 49 points, a career high, againstĀ theĀ Rockets
Hardy’s performance propels MAVS past the Pelicans
However, it was guard Jaden Hardy’s electric performance that really ignited the 20,300-person American Airlines Center sellout crowd.
Hardy came off the bench and inspired the Mavs for the second straight game. Hardy concluded Saturday’s game with a career-high tying 15 points in 21 minutes on 7-of-9 shots. Thanks to his remarkable speed and ability to quickly switch from one side of the court to the other.
And that came just after Hardy’s 15-point performance in just 15 minutes against the Boston Celtics, the reigning Eastern Conference champions, on Thursday.
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