Even if Luka Doncic was not there, the Mavericks clearly missed the boat last night, losing 118-108 at home against the Pelicans, although deprived of their “Big Three”. The fault first of all is Dyson Daniels, very good as conductor at the start of the match. Whether it is to serve Jonas Valanciunas near the circle, finish with a Eurostep or find Jordan Hawkins, the Australian weighs on the start of the match, and New Orleans comes away (15-8).
Opposite, Kyrie Irving is lonely and above all the bench does not contribute much. Result, when Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado take over, the Pelicans widen the gap (27-17). Jason Kidd understood that he couldn't do without his starters, and it's Tim Hardaway Jr. who wakes up his teammates. We expect him at 3-pointers, but it is in the attack of the circle that the shooter does the damage. In the axis or baseline, he creates gaps and his slaughter pays off.
It's him who gives the Mavericks the advantage (49-46), and it's Kyrie Irving, in the corner, who drives home the point two seconds from halftime (54-49). Returning from the locker room, the young Pelicans engage in a 3-point contest, and the elegant Hawkins gives Kyrie Irving a hard time. Supported by Naji Marshall, the former NCAA champion allows the Pelicans to equalize (62-62).
Valanciunas closes the debates
The meeting is less unbridled, and Hardaway enters the 3-point contest to give Dallas a five-point lead (72-67). And as in the first quarter, the entry of the substitutes will change the course of the match. Just after the entry of the Alvarado-Nance tandem, the Pelicans continued with an 18-5, which allowed them to take an eight-point lead (85-77).
Under the eyes of a dejected Luka Doncic, it is Jonas Valanciunas who will make the difference in the last period. Served in the low post, the Lithuanian fixes the defense to better stand out on his shooters. Hawkins and Alvarado take advantage of this to maintain the gap (102-95), then we find the Pelicans pivot on the offensive rebound to put the lid on the match with the And-1 (114-104). There are 80 seconds left to play, and Dallas will not come back. Winners 118-108, the Pelicans suffered their 7th defeat in 9 matches.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A controlled back-to-back. Beaten the day before in Denver, the Pelicans arrived at 4:30 a.m. in Dallas… The staff preferred to leave Zion Wiliamson to rest, and this is the 4th time this season that he has been exempt from a back-to-back. Alongside him on the bench are Brandon Ingram (Achilles), CJ McCollum (ankle) and Trey Murphy III (knee). Between them, they account for two-thirds of New Orleans' points this season.
– A shower of absentees. If the Pelicans were deprived of three starters and their 6th man, the Mavericks had to deal without Luka Doncic, Dante Exum and Derek Lively II. This is the first time this season that the Slovenian has missed two matches in a row.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
