Dallas Mavericks (20-36) beat Indiana Pacers (15-43) 134-130 on the road on Sunday, February 22 in a game that stayed within 8 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Mavericks had the better start, winning the first 36-33 to lead by 3 after one. The Mavericks kept the pressure on with a 35-33 second quarter, carrying a 5-point lead into halftime.
The Mavericks won the third 32-29 to create some separation, taking a 8-point lead into the fourth. The Pacers took the fourth 35-31; the Mavericks held on for a 134-130 regulation win.
The edge that mattered
The Mavericks took better care of the ball, turning it over on 10.1% of possessions compared with 13.8% for the Pacers. The Mavericks made 22.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 17 for the Pacers. In a 4-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 109 possessions per team, the Mavericks produced 123 points per 100 possessions to 119.3 for the Pacers.
Who made the difference
Khris Middleton was the game's biggest individual force for DAL: 25 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast on 11-15 shooting. His Game Score of 23.7 led everyone. His team was +5 with him on the floor.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 22 pts, 1 reb, 11 ast on 7-14 shooting, good for a 21.8 Game Score.
Andrew Nembhard (22 pts, 1 reb, 11 ast) and Marvin Bagley III (12 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 42% for the Mavericks.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Indiana Pacers lead 2-1.
The Mavericks are now 20-36, and the Pacers are 15-43. The Mavericks last five before this game: L-L-L-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.