BOXSCORE || PHOTOS || QUOTES || VIDEOS
Pelicans (1-0), Mavericks (0-1)
BOSSIER CITY – The three-time All-Star said he “felt great,” after scoring 13 points in 12 minutes of action, as he continues his return from a March 2016 injury. The recent lottery draft pick excelled, racking up 19 points in just 23 minutes. Five other teammates reached double digits in scoring.
New Orleans relied on a collective effort and received efficient production from Anthony Davis and Buddy Hield, respectively, in posting a victory over Dallas in its preseason opener Saturday. Pelicans guard E'Twaun Moore matched Hield for team scoring honors with 19 points, while fellow newcomers Terrence Jones, Langston Galloway and Lance Stephenson each cracked double figures, along with returnee Tim Frazier.
“I felt we played unselfishly,” Alvin Gentry said after his team handed out 29 assists.
The Pelicans seemed to find the hot hand throughout the game, getting the ball to Davis repeatedly in the first quarter in the paint. They later capitalized on scoring bursts by Moore (10 points in first quarter), Jones (nine in third quarter) and Stephenson (11 points in fourth quarter).
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
New Orleans went on a huge run bridging the third and fourth quarters, regaining control of the game after Dallas had surged early in the third period. After trailing 22-21 through 12 minutes, the Pelicans amassed 95 points in the final three quarters.
PELICANS PLAYER UPDATES
Davis' preseason minutes will be kept to a modest allotment, with the goal being to have him ready for the Oct. 26 regular season opener vs. Denver. The Pelicans made a concerted effort when the 23-year-old was on the floor to get him touches, particularly when he had good position in the paint. …
Hield played a very sound, under-control game in his first chance to face another NBA team. All of the Oklahoma product's points came between the second and fourth quarters. After he began cooking, the Pelicans set good screens to help free him up beyond the arc. He also used a few slick dribble moves to create his own shot or find a teammate. …
Jones was a jack of all trades, compiling 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. The below-average foul shooter also went 5/6 at the line. …
The starting tandem of Moore and Galloway teamed up for some good moments, totaling 30 points on 12/18 shooting (5/7 on treys).
QUOTES TO NOTE
“He calls himself Buddy Buckets, and that's what he did tonight. He made a lot of shots, looked good on the defensive end. I'm definitely excited to play with him. He did a good job.” – Davis on Hield's play
“I just wanted to be versatile. Play great defense and try to make plays for my teammates and myself.” – Jones on his objectives
“We wanted to play with a lot of pace. I thought we played unselfishly.” – Alvin Gentry on two of the positives he took from Saturday's win
BY THE NUMBERS
58.2: New Orleans shooting percentage from the field, including 12/21 (57.1 percent) on three-pointers.
10, 9, 6: Frazier's points, assists and rebounds. The Pelicans were plus-24 with the point guard on the floor.
