Mavericks hold off pesky Pelicans, 137-136

NEW ORLEANS – After months of hearing about “next man up,” the Mavericks are now living proof that the concept works.

Especially for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, who were already strong players but have leveled up with so many injuries opening up opportunities for them.

Both players came through with big games and clutch fourth quarters as the Mavericks were able to grind out a 137-136 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night at Smoothie King Center, starting the longest trip of the season with a well-rounded performance.

A city bracing for the hysteria that comes with next week’s Super Bowl extravaganza hasn’t exactly fallen in love with these Pelicans. The crowd was small and cozy. But it didn’t show with the teams, who put on an entertaining show.

The Mavericks avenged the 119-116 loss the Pelicans handed them two weeks ago. They are now 2-1 this season against New Orleans with a final meeting on Feb. 21, the first game after the All-Star break.

The Mavericks were down 101-100 early in the fourth quarter, but then started scoring in threes. Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington both dropped in two three-pointers and Daniel Gafford had a pair of old-fashioned three-point plays as the Mavericks went on a 20-10 tear to open up a 120-111 advantage.

When the Pelicans got within 122-118, Washington drilled another triple with 2:48 to go to send the Mavericks on their way. At least until Dejounte Murray’s three-pointer with 15 seconds got the Mavericks’ attention and the Pelicans within 136-133. But Spencer Dinwiddie canned the second of two free throws with 11.4 to go to make it a two-score game. A three-pointer by C.J. McCollum with 0.2 seconds left did not matter as the Mavericks improved to 26-22. The Pelicans did not play like a team that fell to 12-36.

Washington, who has been a rebounding demon for the last two weeks, had 25 points and 14 rebounds. He didn’t miss a triple-double by much as he also had eight assists.

Gafford had 22 points and 12 rebounds as he continued to pick up the slack left by Dereck Lively II’s ankle injury.

Kyrie Irving wasn’t bad either with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

The Mavericks couldn’t shake the Pelicans through the first half when neither team led by more than seven points and the Mavericks actually trailed at the break 63-57 when they gave up the final six points, including a couple of dunks by Trey Murphy that brought a little life to a crowd that could only be described as tiny at cavernous Smoothie King Center.

Good sections were available in the upper deck.

With the Super Bowl coming on Feb. 9 to the Superdome next door, many streets are closed off around the Pelicans’ arena, making it a challenge for fans logistically.

The ones that stayed away missed an entertaining night that featured strong play from Zion Williamson and a big night from P.J. Washington, who was a point and a rebound away from a double-double in the first half, which he collected quickly when the third quarter started.

The Mavericks knew they had let the first half get away from them and came out in the third quarter with a better aggression. But that push came to a halt midway into the period when the Mavericks couldn’t score. The Pelicans pulled ahead 86-79 with a 13-3 surge.

And they still were up 101-100 with 10:28 to go after a Jose Alvarado three-pointer that juiced up the crowd.

But the Mavericks were loading up a big finish.

X: @ESefko