New Orleans Pelicans (23-46) beat Dallas Mavericks (23-46) 129-111 at home on Monday, March 16, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pelicans struck first, taking the opening quarter 32-26 and a 6-point lead after one. The Pelicans kept the pressure on with a 35-28 second quarter, carrying a 13-point lead into halftime.
The Pelicans won the third 36-32 to create some separation, taking a 17-point lead into the fourth. The Pelicans took the fourth 26-25; the Pelicans finished the job for a 129-111 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pelicans made 23.2 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 8.7 for the Mavericks. The Pelicans got more from their shots, finishing at 56.3% effective field-goal shooting compared with 49% for the Mavericks. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Mavericks did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 10.2 against 12.5. The Pelicans made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 110 possessions per team, the Pelicans produced 117.2 points per 100 possessions to 100.9 for the Mavericks.
The Pelicans' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 48-26.
Who made the difference
Naji Marshall was the game's biggest individual force for DAL: 32 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast on 12-24 shooting. His Game Score of 26.5 led everyone. His team was -6 with him on the floor.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast on 11-13 shooting, good for a 22.6 Game Score.
Karlo Matkovic (13 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pelicans about a 68% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Dallas Mavericks lead 4-3.
The Pelicans are now 23-46, and the Mavericks are 23-46. The Pelicans last five before this game: W-L-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.