Pelicans Payback Mavs, Snap Five-Game Losing Streak
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans snapped their five-game losing streak with a 131-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the Smoothie King Center. Associate Coach James Borrego filled in for Coach Willie Green, who missed the game due to illness. Pelicans forward Herb Jones made an impact on defense and helped the team achieve a season-high 17 assists upon his return.
New Orleans opened up the first quarter, ratcheting up the defensive intensity. Dallas had just six turnovers in Sunday's matchup in New Orleans. The Pelicans forced seven Mavs turnovers in the opening quarter alone, including six from Luka Doncic. New Orleans turned those turnovers into 12 points and scored 17 fast-break points.
Rookie Jordan Hawkins and Naji Marshall scored seven points apiece to lead the scoring for New Orleans. Marshall hit a buzzer-beater three-point shot from 61 feet, bringing the Smoothie King Center crowd to its feet. New Orleans took a 33-26 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Pelicans rookie continued his impressive scoring display with 12 points in the second quarter for New Orleans. The Pels grabbed their largest lead at 19 points before the Mavs went on a 8-0 run late in the quarter. A three-point shot from Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and three free throws from Jordan Hawkins extended New Orleans' lead to 70-54 at the half.
Nov 14, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) shoots a jump shot over New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Hawkins led all scorers with 19 points, and the New Orleans bench contributed 35 first-half points. Meanwhile, defensively, the Pelicans held Luke Doncic and Kyrie Irving to a combined 15 points on 21 shot attempts. Herb Jones had 13 points, two steals, and a block in 19 minutes of play.
In the third quarter, the Pelicans' stars began to flex their muscles. Brandon Ingram scored 13 points in the quarter, and his running mate Zion Williamson scored 8. The pair hooked up for back-to-back alley-oops that brought the Smoothie King Center fans to their feet. New Orleans continued to dominate the paint, outscoring Dallas 50-22 after three-quarters.
New Orleans' lead was 114-85 after three quarters, their largest lead of the season. By the fourth quarter, Zion Williamson was on the bench, and Brandon Ingram and the reserves maintained the victory for the Pelicans. The 131 points were the most the Pelicans scored this season, and this was the first double-digit victory of the season for New Orleans.
Brandon Ingram was the high-point man with 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. New Orleans finished with a season-high 46 fast break points and won the points in the paint battle 60-40. The path for the Pelicans gets more challenging. They host the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets at Smoothie King Center on Friday night.
