It may not have been an elimination game, but both Dallas and new orleans needed a win on Wednesday night to jumpstart the other one for a postseason run. The Pelicans were able to get the important and wild 121-118 win after storming out to an 11-point lead at halftime. The Mavericks never got the lead in the second half, getting as close to a one-point deficit with seven minutes remaining. New Orleans currently sits a half-game ahead of Dallas in the standings, but are still 4.5 games away from the eighth seed.
Mavericks likely put out of their misery
After starting off March with a four-game winning streak, Dallas has lost seven of their last ten games and have faltered in three consecutive games. It likely puts an end to a late gasp for a playoff spot. Both defenses were miserable in this contest -- they gave up 50.6 percent shooting to the Pelicans, but on the flipside, they were able to convert a whopping 14-of-27 3-point attempt. Yogi Ferrell was responsible for hitting four of them off the bench.
A balanced offensive attack had three starters hit 18 or more points. Dirk Nowitzki (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg) led the team with 23 points, the first time he's broken the double-digit mark in the last three games.
He went 7-for-14 from the field and hit all seven free throw attempts.
Have Pelicans put themselves in position?
Unlike the Mavericks, New Orleans could have taken their spot for a legitimate chance at stealing the Western Conference's eighth seed. They've now won seven of their last ten games, and that stretch included some notable wins over teams like Memphis and Houston.
The Pelicans' frontcourt paved the way in impressive fashion this time out. Power forward Anthony Davis (27.9 ppg, 12 rpg) continues to impress with his fourth consecutive game with 30 points, delivering 30 points and 13 boards in the win. Davis is now averaging 32.5 points in his last four games. Newcomer DeMarcus Cousins (26.8 ppg, 10.9 rpg) complimented that with 29 points and 16 rebounds. He missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, but it certainly didn't affect him in this contest.
