MAVERICKS (34-24) AT NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (23-35)Msxi

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

TV: BSSW

Radio: The Eagle, 97.1 FM: Univision 99.1 FM (Spanish)

About the Mavericks: Tonight’s game is the last one for the Mavs before they pause for the All-Star break. Coming out of the All-Star break, the Mavs will have a three-game road trip to the Utah Jazz (Feb. 25), Golden State Warriors (Feb. 27) and Los Angeles Lakers (March 1) before returning home to host the Warriors on March 3. . .The Mavs are coming off a big-time road win against a Miami Heat team many are picking as one of the Eastern Conference favorites to advance to this year’s NBA Finals. In defeating the Heat, 107-99, the Mavs trailed, 59-46, with 1:17 remaining in the second quarter. Then, they outscored Miami, 61-40, the rest of the game. . .In the second half, the Heat were just 12-of-40 from the field and only 1-of-14 from three-point range, while the Mavs were 18-of-37 from the floor and 9-of-19 from downtown. . .Luka Doncic finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against the Heat. It was his 29th double-double of the season. . .Maxi Kleber tallied 10 of his season-high 19 points in the fourth quarter against Miami. He also blocked five Davisshots. It marked the third time in Kleber’s career that he’s scored at least 10 points in the fourth quarter of a game. The last time he did that was Feb. 21, 2020 when he tallied 12 points in the fourth quarter of a game in Orlando. . .Jalen Brunson poured in 19 points, distributed six assists and added two steals against the Heat and is now averaging 18.1 ppg in the 39 games he’s started this season. . .Davis Bertans and Spencer Dinwiddie – acquired from the Washington Wizards last Thursday in a trade for Kristaps Porzingis and a protected 2022 second-round pick — made their Mavs debut against Miami. Bertans popped in 12 points in just 13 minutes and was 3-of-7 from behind the three-point stripe. Dinwiddie scored four points and handed out five assists in 23 minutes. . .The Mavs are 18-6 in their past 24 games, including 5-1 in their last six contests.

About the Pelicans: Banged up all season, the Pelicans are just one game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the 10th and final spot for the play-in tournament. And they enter tonight’s game with wins in five of their last eight games, including eye-opening victories over the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors. . .On Feb. 4, the Pelicans surprisingly won in Denver, 113-105, when rookie forward Herbert Jones scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. In his four-year career at Alabama, Jones never scored more than 21 points in any game. Also for New Orleans in that game, Brandon Ingram finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes tallied 22 points on 9-of-9 shots and grabbed 11 rebounds. . .This past Monday the Pelicans beat up the Raptors, 102-90, as they scored 60 points in each half of that contest. Newly acquired guard CJ McCollum had 23 points and five assists, and Jonas Valanciunas contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. The Pelicans acquired McCollum in a Feb. 8 trade with Portland. . .New Orleans has a 13-16 record at home and 14-19 record against Western ConferenceJalen foes. . .This is the finale of a six-game home stand for the Pelicans, who are 2-3 on this home stand. In addition to defeating the Raptors on this home stand, New Orleans opened this 10-day run at home with a 110-97 triumph over the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8 behind 26 points and three blocks from Ingram. . .The Pelicans are 1-2 against the Mavs this season. Despite 22 points and 11 rebounds from Valanciunas, New Orleans lost in Dallas, 108-92, on Nov. 8. Ingram poured in 29 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Pelicans lost in New Orleans, 139-107, in Dec. 1. And on Dec. 3 in Dallas, Ingram collected 24 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, and Willy Hernangomez added 12 points and 14 rebounds off the bench as the Pelicans stunned the Mavs, winning 107-91.

Twitter: @DwainPriceDavisSpencer

Luka

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