Dallas scored 34 points in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but the Pelicans held on for a 101-97 preseason win Wednesday at American Airlines Center. John Poulakidas and Tobi Lawal scored 16 points apiece for the Mavericks, who fell to 1-2 in exhibition play.
The late rally changed a game Dallas had spent largely chasing. New Orleans led 56-45 at halftime and 75-63 after three quarters. The Mavericks’ reserves brought the margin down to three with under nine seconds left, keeping the result open until the final possession.
Poulakidas made a short jumper with 8.9 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 100-97. After Jalon Moore missed two free throws, Sergio de Larrea secured the rebound and Dallas called timeout with five seconds left.
Seth Lundy’s attempted tying three did not go in. New Orleans successfully challenged the initial call on the play, and the final play-by-play recorded a missed 26-foot three with half a second remaining. AJ Johnson added one free throw with 0.4 seconds left for the final margin.
The NBA’s official game highlights show the Pelicans’ early advantage and Dallas’ attempt to pull the game back in the closing minutes.
