Mavs’ Latest Victory Shows Again They’re Finding Their Footing

November 20, 2024

The Mavericks didn’t just show up for their NBA Cup matchup against the undermanned Pelicans on Tuesday night — they made a statement.

Luka Doncic returned to the lineup, and the Mavs wasted no time reminding everyone why they’re a force to be reckoned with, cruising to a dominant 132-91 victory.

This one wasn’t close from the jump. Dallas, which has struggled with slow starts this season, flipped the script in dramatic fashion. The Mavs exploded for 44 points in the first quarter, fueled by crisp ball movement and red-hot shooting. Doncic set the tone early with back-to-back buckets, and the rest of the crew followed suit. Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Quentin Grimes all joined the party, as Dallas shot a blistering 71% from the field in the opening frame.

For New Orleans, missing Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and a host of others, it was an uphill battle before the ball was even tipped. The Pelicans trotted out a patchwork lineup featuring Brandon Boston Jr. and Yves Missi alongside Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy III, but it was clear they didn’t have the firepower to keep up.

By halftime, the Mavericks held a comfortable 63-51 lead, and things only got worse for the Pelicans in the second half. Irving caught fire in the third quarter, draining threes with ease and dismantling New Orleans’ zone defense. Doncic kept orchestrating the offense to perfection, and Dallas built a 28-point lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth was all mop-up duty for the Mavs, as no starter played more than 30 minutes. But with point differential a key factor in NBA Cup play, Dallas kept its foot on the gas, finishing with a 41-point margin of victory — crucial in these in-season tournament standings.

Doncic led the way with 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while Thompson added 19, including several big shots from beyond the arc. Irving chipped in 18 points and seven assists, shooting a near-flawless 4-of-5 from three. Seven Mavs finished in double figures, marking another balanced offensive showing for a team that seems to be finding its groove.

For the Pelicans, Murphy paced the effort with 19 points, and Ingram added 17, but they never found a rhythm against Dallas’ swarming defense.