New Orleans controlled the game almost from the start. The Pelicans led 24-18 after one, pushed it to 56-45 at the half, and stretched the margin to 75-63 through three quarters, their biggest lead reaching 14 points.
Jeremiah Fears paced New Orleans with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, adding 5 assists and 3 steals in just over 20 minutes. Karlo Matkovic scored 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three.
New Orleans out-scored Dallas in the paint 50-38 and dominated the fast break 23-8, the clearest sign of where this game was decided.
Led all scorers with 16 points on efficient shooting while adding 5 assists and 3 steals.
The Pelicans beat the Mavericks 101-97 in a preseason game at American Airlines Center, building a 14-point cushion before Dallas' bench-heavy rally in the fourth made it close. Both teams are 0-0…