HARRISON Barnes scored 19 points and Dirk Nowitzki turned back the clock as the Dallas Mavericks ended its three-game losing streak with a 96-83 victory over the new-look New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
The 38-year old Nowitzki scored 18 points on 8 for 12 shooting (2/2 on 3-pointers) in 28 minutes on the court.
Barnes was 7 of 15 from the field and made some crucial baskets in the fourth quarter.
Seth Curry had 13 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds while Dorian Finney-Smith scored 12 points to lead the Mavs’ second unit.
New Orleans had a 49-47 lead at halftime but Dallas held the Pelicans to just 34 points in the second half with the visitors limited to a 39 percent shooting clip and 20 turnovers.
The loss spoiled Anthony Davis’ 39-point, 14-rebound performance. DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals while JRue Holiday added 18 points for the Pelicans who have lost 7 of their last 10 games.
The rest of Pelicans bench only scored 12 points.