These are two teams battling to capture that eight - seed in the west and this veteran Dallas team gave it to this new - look New Orleans bunch. Defense was key for the Mavericks, as they held the Pelicans to under 40 percent shooting, while forcing them to commit 19 turnovers. Anthony Davis carried the load for New Orleans, as he tallied 39 points and 14 rebounds. Jrue Holiday finished second on the team with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. DeMarcus Cousins accumulated 12 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three steals in his second game with the Pelicans. Harrison Barnes led Dallas in scoring, as he accrued 19 points, three rebounds and three steals. Dirk Nowitzki finished second on the team, collecting 18 points and nine boards. Salah Mejri had one of the ugliest lines in the history of the NBA, as he fouled out in five minutes, while failing to record a single stat aside from a turnover.
["TeamStat(G,'Pelicans') has 40 Percentage of field goals ,has 19 Turnovers ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Anthony Davis') has 39 Assists ,has 14 Blocks ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'DeMarcus Cousins') has 6 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 15 Points ,has 3 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jrue Holiday') has 6 Assists ,has 18 Blocks ,has 7 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Harrison Barnes') has 19 Assists ,has 3 Blocks ,has 3 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dirk Nowitzki') has 1 Assists ,has 18 Blocks ,has 9 Points ,has 1 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Salah Mejri') has 1 Assists ."]