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NEW ORLEANS - As much as Dirk Nowitzki struggled to get up accurate shots with Anthony Davis hand in his face, the Dallas Mavericks veteran still found a way to come through in the clutch.Nowitzkis knack for producing when it mattered was mirrored by the Mavericks, who squandered a 17-point lead and trailed by four points early in the fourth quarter before regaining the poise they needed to close out a hard-earned 109-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.Sometimes youve just got to stop the bleeding somehow, refocus and thats what we did, Nowitzki said. I love how we fight for each other.Chandler Parsons scored 20 points, highlighted by a deep 3 to put the Mavericks up 101-96 in the middle of the fourth quarter en route to their second-straight victory. Nowitzki scored 17 despite foul trouble, capped by his 12-foot fade away over Davis that gave Dallas a 109-103 lead with 49 seconds left. Monta Ellis also scored 17 for Dallas, including a jumper and reverse layup late in the third that seemed to halt New Orleans momentum.Weve got an experienced team. A lot of us have been in these situations before and we understand that teams arent just going to give up, Parsons said. Im glad for the way we kept fighting.Davis had 31 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks for New Orleans. Tyreke Evans added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday scored 24 for New Orleans.We could have had that game, Davis said. We had the lead in the fourth. ... We have to make sure we execute and focus.Tyson Chandler, who had to contend with Davis and 7-footer Omer Asik, still managed 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks for Dallas. Devin Harris and Brandan Wright each added 12 points for the Mavericks, who outshot New Orleans 51.7 per cent (46 of 89) to 42.7 per cent (38 of 89) and outscored the Pelicans in the paint, 62-46.After giving up 66 points in the first half, New Orleans buckled down defensively to start the third quarter, which Dallas began by missing seven of 10 shots and turning the ball over four times.The Pelicans quickly erased a double-digit deficit with a 15-0 run that began when Davis steal led to Asiks dunk. Davis added four free throws, a 20-foot jumper, three rebounds and a block of Parsons 3-point attempt during the spurt, the last of those highlights leading to Holidays 3 that gave New Orleans a 75-72 lead.The Mavs took their first 10-point lead just seven minutes in. The lead grew to 17 late in the second quarter on Wrights alley-oop dunk of Nelsons lob. But Evans responded with a 3 to make it 66-52 at halftime.In the first half, we didnt have the pace and the energy that we needed to come out with, Davis said.TIP-INSMavericks: Former Pelicans forward Al-Farouq Aminu faced his previous team for the first time as a member of the Mavericks. He played 16 minutes and two points and five rebounds. .... Chandler was called for a technical foul by Lauren Holtkamp for contesting a foul call on the Dallas defensive end in the first half.Pelicans: With 4:02 left in the first quarter, Davis stepped on Aminus foot under the basket and rolled his left ankle. He remained down on the court for a couple minutes before limping to the bench during a timeout. However, he returned to the court to the relief of the applauding crowd when play resumed. ... Evans drew a technical foul for hanging on the rim after a break-away dunk.THIRD QUARTER CONCERNSMavericks coach Rick Carlisle and numerous players expressed concern over three straight third-quarter lapses.Weve definitely got to solve some of the issues weve had in the third quarter, Nowitzki said. I guess its normal for humans to relax a little bit when they have a lead, so weve got to address that.TAKING CHARGESWhile Pelicans coach Monty Williams lamented the Pelicans seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks were gratified by how they caused three of those by drawing charges.We made a couple stands there, stuck in there and gave up our bodies, said Nowitzki, who drew one of the charges but seemed hesitant to take credit. I think I couldnt get out of the way quick enough. Thats how that happened.UP NEXTDallas: Hosts Boston on Monday night.New Orleans: Plays at Memphis on Monday night. Jeurys Familia Jersey . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. Dae-Sung Koo Jersey . Observant Muslims avoid food and liquids from dawn to dusk during Ramadan but can, and often do, skip it if travelling or doing hard physical labour. Some devout Muslim athletes choose to fast during training or competition, but it can create selection difficulties for the coaches in team sports. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/1550l-n ... -mets.html. MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Marcus Stroman Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Franklyn Kilome Jersey . Diego Costa headed in Gabis corner seven minutes from time to secure victory ahead of the return match in Madrid on March 11. "We know that at Madrid it will be another game, which will also be important and very difficult," Milan coach Clarence Seedorf said.ORLANDO, Fla. -- When Magic coach Jacque Vaughn was asked about his teams noticeable win discrepancy this season in games at home versus on the road, he likened their home floor to feeling like a "fluffed pillow" for his young team. It found that warm embrace again, this time at the expense of a team fighting for its playoff positioning. Tobias Harris had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Orlando beat the Portland Trail Blazers 95-85 on Tuesday night to stop a nine-game losing streak. Nik Vucevic added 22 points and 10 boards for the Magic, who led by just eight at the half but used scoring spurts in the third and fourth quarters to put the game away. Victor Oladipo had 13 points and six assists. Orlando improved to 16-18 at home, compared to 4-34 on the road. "When you play on the road its a lot different," Harris said. "Their crowd gives them energy just like our crowd does. We know we have to get better on the road, but were playing good at home and tonight was a good win for us." The Magic earned their fifth victory against a Western Conference team, but just their third over one that entered the night in position to make the playoffs. Orlando previously posted wins against the Clippers and Thunder in the Amway Center. The Magic also matched their win total for all of last season with nine games remaining. "I was really pleased with the mental focus that we had from the beginning of the game, to come out and not use being on the West Coast as an excuse," Vaughn said. "It was impressive to hold that team to 85 points." Robin Lopez led Portland with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The Blazers, who entered the night in fifth place in the West, have lost three straight. They were without forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed his seventh consecutive game with a lower back contusion. After getting blown out at Charlotte on Saturday, the Blazers rebounded and showed lots of fight in nearly upending defending champion Miami on Monday night. They didnt seem to have anything left at times against Orlando, which went right at Portlands front line. The Magic outscored the Blazzers 46-44 in the paint.dddddddddddd Portland coach Terry Stotts said before the game that the tight playoff race in the West dictated a need to "accumulate wins where we can get them." He acknowledged afterward that they missed one of those opportunities against the Magic. "This is a very, extremely disappointing loss and in fact it was a game we needed to have," Stotts said. "Weve got 10 games left. Theres got to be a sense of urgency every game. Playoff race is tight. Wed like to look forward, but weve got four teams that are right on our heels, and every game has a new sense of urgency." The Magic closed the third quarter on an 11-2 run and increased their lead to 19 in the opening minutes of the fourth. Harris was the most active player for Orlando in the final quarter, scoring eight points. The Blazers were finally able to string together some baskets and cut the lead down to 11 points on a 3-pointer by Wesley Matthews with 2:31 to play. But the Magic were able to close out the game from the foul line. Orlando took an eight-point lead into halftime after shooting 50 per cent from the field in the first half. Vucevic led the scoring effort with 14 points. The Magic also had 10 assists on their 21 baskets, including four from Oladipo. Lopez scored 10 first-half points for Portland, which shot just 40 per cent from the field. The Blazers also struggled from the foul line, connecting on only 2 of their 12 attempts. The victory aside, Vaughn said there wont be any heavy focus on wins or losses for his team the rest of the way. "Have not mentioned one time what our record is to the team," he said. "What I do mention to those guys, and (will) when we practice on Thursday, is lets come to work and get better. Thats how well continue to judge each other and continue to push each other." NOTES: Orlando improved to 5-24 against the Western Conference. ... The Magic honoured Grant Hill between the first and second quarter as part of their "Legends Nights" season-long series to honour former players as part of the teams 25th anniversary season celebration. ' ' '