LaMelo Ball helps power Hornets past Mavs

FILE — Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets reacts with teammate LaMelo Ball following a dunk during the third quarter of their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center on December 27, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images/AFP

First-round draft pick LaMelo Ball had his first strong outing in the NBA and his 22 points helped the Charlotte Hornets thump the Mavericks 118-99 on Wednesday night in Dallas.

Miles Bridges, a reserve, contributed 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds and Terry Rozier had 18 points for the Hornets, who have won in five of their past six visits to Dallas.

P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward posted 11 points apiece and Jalen McDaniels added 10 points for the Hornets, who won for the first time in two road games this season.

Charlotte led by 31 points in the third quarter.

For the Mavericks, who were in their home opener after a 1-2 stretch on the road to begin the season, it was an unremarkable turnaround from their previous game — a 51-point romp past the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 18 points, Jalen Brunson’s 16 points and Maxi Kleber’s 12 points were tops for Dallas. Luka Doncic was held to 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting from the field in just 24 minutes.

Ball, a guard coming off the bench, had 15 first-half points. He finished the game with eight rebounds, five assists and 7-for-10 shooting from the field (including 4-for-5 on 3s). Across the first three games of his career, Ball managed a total of 19 points.

Take away Kleber’s 4-for-5 shooting on 3s, and the Mavericks were just 3-for-19 from deep midway through the third quarter. They were 1-for-14 in the third quarter, when Charlotte outscored them 30-12.

Dallas was 12-for-42 for the game on 3-pointers and 19-for-33 on free throws.

The Hornets held a 50-39 rebounding advantage.

Kleber had 12 first-quarter points. Bridges did his part for the Hornets with 11 points in the opening period.

Field Level Media