Final: Pelicans 115, Mavs 105

Box Score | Highlights

Notebook

  • Harrison Barnes led the Mavs with 12 rim attacks tonight, which is a relatively high number for him. In the absence of Dennis Smith Jr. and with J.J. Barea splitting point guard duties fairly evenly with Yogi Ferrell, Barnes was the lone heavy-minute player who can consistently break down the defense and get into the paint. He’s been a much more effective driver this season than he was in his first campaign with the Mavs, and his relentless attacking has been the driving force behind perhaps the best run of his career. In his last nine games heading into this one, Barnes was averaging better than 22 points per game and attempt more than six free throws per contest. He attempted only two from the charity stripe tonight, but to lead the team in rim attacks means you’re doing something right. The free throws will come if Barnes remains as aggressive as he was tonight and has been for the better part of the last month or so.

  • Find someone who looks at you the way Melvin Hunt looked at Kyle Collinsworth after the rookie drained a 3-pointer in the first half.

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    Collinsworth scored a career-high eight points tonight, adding five assists and two boards. Two nights after Jalen Jones scored 16 and on the same road trip when Jameel Warney made a name for himself and Johnathan Motley returned to action with the NBA squad, Collinsworth became the next young Maverick to put together a nice performance in extended playing time. It’s important that those guys play well when they get on the floor for themselves, of course, but also so the Mavs know what they have in some of their youngest players. Collinsworth is signed to a multi-year deal and Jones and Motley are both on two-way contracts, meaning the club has the power to bring back all three if that’s what the Dallas front office wants to do. If Collinsworth can prove he can hit the 3-pointer and continue playing strong defense, you’ve got to think he has a very good chance to remain with the Mavs in the future. He’s already a strong-bodied wing who can defend multiple positions and make plays. The long-ball would be a huge bonus.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (22-49) will play the Utah Jazz (40-30) on Thursday at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Central.

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