McCollum leads New Orleans against Dallas after 43-point outing

By Canadian Press on February 20, 2025.

New Orleans Pelicans (13-42, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (30-26, eighth in the Western Conference)

Dallas; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans faces the Dallas Mavericks after CJ McCollum scored 43 points in the Pelicans’ 140-133 overtime victory over the Sacramento Kings.

The Mavericks are 6-4 against division opponents. Dallas is seventh in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing only 113.5 points while holding opponents to 45.9% shooting.

The Pelicans are 1-8 against the rest of the division. New Orleans is 10-17 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 13.6 turnovers per game.

The Mavericks average 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 fewer makes per game than the Pelicans allow (14.5). The Pelicans are shooting 44.8% from the field, 1.1% lower than the 45.9% the Mavericks’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.6 points and 4.8 assists for the Mavericks. Klay Thompson is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Pelicans. McCollum is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 6-4, averaging 118.6 points, 42.7 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 6.9 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.7 points per game.

Pelicans: 1-9, averaging 115.0 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.2 points.

INJURIES: Mavericks: Anthony Davis: out (groin), Daniel Gafford: out (knee), Dwight Powell: out (hip), Caleb Martin: out (hip), P.J. Washington Jr.: day to day (ankle), Klay Thompson: day to day (foot), Dereck Lively II: out (ankle).

Pelicans: Zion Williamson: day to day (rest), Kelly Olynyk: day to day (not injury related), Brandon Boston Jr.: day to day (ankle), Jamal Cain: day to day (illness), Yves Missi: out (knee), Herbert Jones: out for season (shoulder), Dejounte Murray: out for season (leg).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The Associated Press

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