Pelicans Edge Mavericks 101-97 in Preseason; Fears Scores 16

Final Score and Standouts

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the host Dallas Mavericks 101-97 in a preseason game Wednesday at American Airlines Center. Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 16 points and five assists. For Dallas, Tobi Lawal and John Poulakidas each scored 16, Sergio de Larrea had 10 points and six assists, and P.J. Washington grabbed seven rebounds. Derik Queen had a game-high 11 rebounds for the Pelicans.

Early Game Momentum

Moussa Cisse opened the scoring with two free throws for Dallas, and the Mavericks led a few times early. Fears answered with a 25-foot 3-pointer, assisted by Bennedict Mathurin, and New Orleans led 24-18 after the first quarter.

The Pelicans outscored Dallas 32-27 in the second quarter and took a 56-45 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter

Zion Williamson scored six points in the third quarter, including a 7-foot floater. Lawal kept Dallas within range with dunks and free throws, but New Orleans led 75-63 entering the final period.

Fourth Quarter Finish

Dallas outscored New Orleans 34-26 in the fourth. Poulakidas hit a 3-pointer early in the quarter and Tarik Biberovic added two jumpers and a 3-pointer. Seth Lundy's dunk made it 98-95 with 33 seconds left, but Jaron Pierre Jr. and AJ Johnson made free throws down the stretch to hold on.

New Orleans is 2-1 in the preseason, and Dallas is 1-2. The crowd at American Airlines Center was 17,140.

Sources

ESPN