Mavs Lose Preseason Opener

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The Dallas Mavericks fell to the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 Monday night at the American Airlines Center in a game that saw 12 ties and 21 lead changes.

The Mavericks outshot the Pelicans 53.1 percent (17-of-32) to 37.2 percent (16-of-43) in the first half but led by just two (42-39) at the break.

Dallas led, 42-41, and used a 6-0 spurt to go up by seven (48-41) at the 9:19 mark of the third quarter. But New Orleans responded with a 13-2 run to take a four-point advantage (54-50) with just under 7 minutes remaining in the third.  Dallas trailed, 62-61, but closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run and led 67-62 after three.  New Orleans began the fourth quarter on an 11-3 run and turned a five-point deficit (67-62) into a three-point advantage (73-70).

Both teams shot the ball well from deep. New Orleans shot 10-of-15 (.667) from beyond the arc, while Dallas went 8-of-17 (.471) from 3-point range.

The Mavericks’ bench outscored the Pelicans’ bench, 65-42. Brandan Wright (14), Jae Crowder (10), Wayne Ellington (9) and Vince Carter (8) combined for 41 of Dallas’ 65 bench points.

Mavericks big man Brandan Wright went 7-of-8 from the field and totaled a

team-high 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

Mavericks guard Monta Ellis recorded 13 points (5-11 FGs, 2-3 3FGs, 1-2 FTs) and a team-high seven assists in 25 minutes against New Orleans.

Pelicans big man Anthony Davis recorded game highs of 25 points (11-19 FGs, 3-3 FTs) and seven rebounds in 26 minutes. Brian Roberts (17), Jrue Holiday (13), Ryan Anderson (12) and Anthony Morrow (11) also scored in double figures for New Orleans in the win.