Anthony Davis scored 17 points before leaving at halftime with a bruised right hip, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-105 on Tuesday night for their first victory of the season.
Davis helped the Pelicans (1-6) build an 18-point halftime lead that never dipped below 14 points even after he left.
Team officials said X-rays on the All-Star forward's hip were negative, but they were holding him out as a precaution.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points for Dallas, which trailed 37-36 after Zaza Pachulia's basket before the Pelicans went on an 18-0 run that began with three straight baskets by Davis.
New Orleans shot 50 percent for the game, including 14 of 33 from 3-point range, and outrebounded Dallas 48-44. It was just the second time this season the Pelicans have finished with more rebounds than their opponent.
Dallas, meanwhile, was just 5 for 20 beyond the arc.
TIP-INS
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Mavericks: All four of the Mavericks' losses have come by double digits. . G Deron Williams was just 4 of 10 shooting and finished with eight points and three assists.
Pelicans: New Orleans signed guard Jimmer Fredette before the game to help boost an injury-depleted roster. He entered the game late in the fourth quarter. . C Omer Asik played for the first time in four games after missing the previous three with a calf strain. Asik scored four points in 15 minutes.
FOUR IN FIVE NIGHTS
Tuesday night marked the first game in a run of four contests in five nights for Dallas. It's the only time this season the Mavericks will have to do this and coach Rick Carlisle is all right with that.
"This is the most difficult stretch of the season," he said. "And, going forward, I hope we can chip away at the exhibition season and get rid of some of those. Then, eventually, we can get rid of the back-to-backs."
The Mavericks do have three other runs of four games in six nights the rest of the season.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR SMITH
New Orleans signed Ish Smith the day before the season started. He has rewarded the Pelicans on the court by leading the team in assists. Tuesday night, he recorded his first career double-double.
Smith entered the game sixth in the NBA, averaging 7.5 assists per game.
He had a career-high 12 against Dallas after setting his previous career high four days earlier with 11 against Atlanta.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday
Pelicans: At Atlanta on Wednesday
