The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 113-106, at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.

The two inconsistent teams fought to a 24-24 draw through the first 12 minutes, but the Pelicans (32-34) turned the tide of the game for good with a 35-19 advantage in the second quarter. New Orleans then extended its lead over the Mavericks (34-33) to 18 heading into the final period, allowing the hosts to withstand Dallas' 41-point fourth quarter. Luka Doncic notably exited the game for the Mavs in the second half with a thigh strain.

Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 27 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Tim Hardaway delivered 17 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Doncic and Christian Wood generated matching 15-point tallies while recording eight assists and eight rebounds, respectively. Dwight Powell totaled 12 points, four rebounds and two steals. Jaden Hardy netted 11 points.

C.J. McCollum paced the Pelicans with 32 points, complementing them with five rebounds and five assists. Trey Murphy III managed 16 points, six boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Herbert Jones supplied 14 points, nine boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Jaxson Hayes matched Jones' scoring and also produced three rebounds, while Brandon Ingram turned in 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.

The Mavericks remain on the road and visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night as well.