Final: Mavs 91, Pelicans 81
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
Through three quarters, this game was tied at 60-60. Both teams were struggling to connect consistently from the field, but part of the reason the game was so low-scoring is because the Mavericks controlled the pace, which was played at just 86.66 possessions per 48 minutes through three frames, per Mavs analytics. That’s an extremely low pace to a game, which actually suits the Mavericks well and the Pelicans poorly, as New Orleans is one of the fastest-playing teams in the NBA. Dallas must control the tempo in order to win, and the Mavericks were able to do so for the most part tonight.
Dwight Powell finished with five steals tonight, tying for the most in a game by a Mavericks center in franchise history. Zaza Pachulia most recently nabbed five in a game, and DeJuan Blair did the same during the 2013-14 season.
Notebook
This was a big win for the Mavericks, ending an eight-game losing streak as well as a horribly difficult schedule during Thanksgiving week, featuring games against the Spurs, Clippers, and Cavaliers. Dallas desperately needed a win and was able to pull one out behind more scoring by Harrison Barnes and some red-hot shooting from Wesley Matthews, who’s now 25 of 51 from 3 in his last seven games. He’s been absolutely sizzling since his rough shooting start to the 2016-17 season. Now that the losing streak is over, the hope is the Mavericks can turn it around and end November and begin December on a high note.
Harrison Barnes had a very dynamic first half, driving around various Pelicans defenders several different times for some flashy finishes at the rim, including one dunk off a baseline drive in the second quarter. He had 12 points in the half and 23 for the game. Barnes has made it no secret that he wants to get into the lane more often, and tonight he was able to do just that. What made this game stand out a bit more, though, is that he drove around smaller guys in addition to bigger ones. Normally we’re used to seeing Barnes take advantage of quickness mismatches against slow-footed traditional big men, but today he was able to bully his way around smaller guys using his strength and explosiveness. His development has been a bright spot for the Mavs this season, despite their record.
Justin Anderson has had his fair share of struggles at the beginning of his sophomore season, but he had a very strong game tonight, finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds. Rick Carlisle has said the second-year Mav needs to bring energy and force off the bench in order to consistently earn big, meaningful minutes, and that’s how he played tonight. Anderson was able to attack the lane and create both for himself and for others, finishing with two assists to go along with his points. If he can continue to expand his game to be more than just a spot-up shooter while still maintaining a high motor on both ends of the floor, he could be a very productive player for the Mavericks now and in the years to come. Anderson has an incredibly high athletic ceiling and there’s no doubt he plays with passion, so it’s good to see him have a solid shooting night to complement the energy he brings on a nightly basis.
What’s Next
The Mavs (3-13) play the San Antonio Spurs (14-3) on Wednesday at American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Central.
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