Jordan Hawkins scores 34 points to lead Pelicans past Mavericks 118 108

DALLAS (AP) — Rookie Jordan Hawkins scored a season high 34 points to lead seven New Orleans players in double figures as the Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks 118 108 on Saturday night in a game in which most of both teams’ regular starters weren’t in uniform. Herb Jones scored 15 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and a game high 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who split a back to back after losing at Denver 125 113 on Friday night.

Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 points followed by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. with 24 each. The Pelicans, after hitting 4 of 14 3 pointers in the first half, hit 7 of 9 from deep in the third quarter to outscore the Mavericks 39 27 and pull ahead for good 88 81. Dallas’ Luka Doncic missed his second consecutive game for the first time this season because of an ankle sprain.

Dante Exum (plantar fascia) missed his sixth consecutive game, and rookie Dereck Lively II (ankle) missed his fifth straight for Dallas. The Pelicans played without Zion Williamson (rest), Brandon Ingram (Achilles) and CJ McCollum (ankle). It was the fourth time in six Pelicans' back to back finales so far this season that Williamson was held out.

With top reserve Trey Murphy III also out (knee), the Pelicans were missing two thirds of their season scoring. The Pelicans led 29 20 after one period with Irving and Hardaway, who combined for 76 points in Dallas’ 128 124 win over New York on Thursday, shooting a combined 2 of 14 and missing all seven 3 pokinters.

New Orleans led by a game high 11 points one minute into the second quarter and was ahead 46 37 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half before the Mavericks went on a 12 point run. Dallas led 54 49 at halftime with Hardaway and Jones scoring 13 each and Irving 12. Hawkins was New Orleans’ lone double figure scorer in the first half with 14.

UP NEXT The teams will remain in Dallas and meet again on Monday. ___ AP NBA:.