Pelicans 120, Mavericks 105
NEW ORLEANS -- Forward Ryan Anderson scored 25 points as the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a season-opening, six-game losing streak with a 120-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at Smoothie King Arena.
However, the win may have been costly, as star forward Anthony Davis sustained a right hip contusion late in the first half and did not return. X-rays were negative, the team announced. Davis scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 19 minutes.
Guards Eric Gordon, Ish Smith and Toney Douglas also scored 17 points for the Pelicans. Guard Jrue Holiday added 10 points in 15 minutes.
Forward Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points to lead the Mavericks, who lost for the third time in four games. Forward Charlie Villanueva added 15 points, center Zaza Pachulia 12, guard Justin Anderson 11 and forward Dwight Powell and guard J.J. Barea 10 each.
Dallas (3-4) got off to perhaps it worst start of the season and never recovered, falling behind 58-40 at the half. New Orleans led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter and 28 in the fourth.
The Pelicans set season lows for points allowed in the first quarter and half.
The Mavericks set a season low for scoring in the first half for the second consecutive game, both coming against the Pelicans. On Saturday, Dallas scored 42 first-half points in a 107-98 home victory against New Orleans.
After squandering most of what was a 14-point lead, the Pelicans closed the half on a 21-14 run, including scoring 18 consecutive points that built the margin to 55-36.
Davis shook off some early struggles to lead the Pelicans with 17 first-half points. Gordon scored 10 points and Holiday 10 before the break.
Pachulia, who scored the Mavericks' first points more than three minutes into the game, led Dallas at the half with 10 points.
NOTES: The Pelicans signed free agent G Jimmer Fredette on Tuesday. A lottery pick in the 2011 draft, Fredette played 50 games with the Pelicans last season, averaging 3.6 points per game. He played two game two preseason games with the San Antonio Spurs earlier this year. ... Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said he is hopeful Fredette will added a much-needed outside threat. ... Gentry canceled the mid-day shoot-around Tuesday. The teams were playing for the second time in four days, with the Mavericks winning in Dallas 107-98 this past Saturday. ... The Mavericks were playing the first of four games in five days, a stretch coach Rick Carlisle called the most difficult of the season. ... C JaVale McGee, who signed with Dallas as a free agent in August, was listed out as he continues to recover from a stress fracture to his left tibia.