Pelicans 88 Mavericks 85: Preseason Game 7 Recap

Headline
Mavs predictably struggle offensively as their top seven players sit out, but fight to the end against the Pelicans full roster.

(photo from the Shreveport Times)
 
Box Score                                 

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Mekel, 17
Rebounds: James, 10
Assists: Mekel, 8
+-: Johnson, +4

Pelicans
Points: Evans, 14
Rebounds: Evans, Asik, 7
Assists: Smith, 4
+-: Evans, +15

Game Ball
Gal Mekel
17 points, 8 assists, 7-13 FG, 42 minutes

X-Factor
Bernard James
6 points, 10 rebounds, 3-6 FG

Goat Horns
Richard Jefferson
0-7 FG, 1 point

Play of the Game
Ivan Johnson gets a three point play to pull the Mavs within one with 30.5 seconds left. After that the Mavs get a stop but a no-call on a loose ball foul leads to a Patric Young dunk with 2.6 seconds left. Ricky Ledo then missed a three at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

Stat of the Game
Both teams had a brutal shooting game. The Mavs shot 39% from the field and 4-23 on threes, including missing their first 17. The Pelicans shot 37%, were 6-27 on threes and 18-32 from the line.

Of Note

• The Mavs sat their top 7 players (Nowitzki, Parsons,Chandler, Ellis, Nelson, Harris and Wright) on the first night of a back-to-back.
• The game was played in Bossier City, Louisiana with plenty of Mavs fans in attendence.
• Ivan Johnson scored 11 points in 10 fourth quarter minutes.
• Anthony Davis had a 5 point possesion midway through the third quarter. He scored and was fouled on a layup, got his own rebound on his missed free throw, and again scored and was fouled, this time making the free throw.
• The Mavs had a horrendous offensive first quarter scoring only 10 points on 4-16 shooting and committing 7 turnovers.

Quote of Note
“[Mekel] has continued to progress. He’s gotten a great opportunity these last two games and he’s shooting the ball better. His decision-making has gotten better and he’s adjusted to the league, so he’s done a good job.”
Rick Carlisle on Gal Mekel

They Tweeted It

Baskeball is being set back decades in the first quarter at Bossier City, La. Less than 4 minutes left in the first and Mavs have 4 points.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) October 24, 2014

Next Up
The Mavs finish up their preseason schedule in Orlando against the Magic at 6:00 tomorrow. The game will be treated as a dress rehearsal of sorts with Jameer Nelson returing to Orlando after playing 10 seasons with the Magic.