Porzingis notches serious double-double to ease past Hornets / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Kristaps Porzingis racked up 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks (14-13) were in control throughout in a 120-96 (37-20, 33-23, 21-26, 29-27) romp past the visiting Charlotte Hornets (15-14) on Monday night.

Player of the Game EFF 29 Kristaps Porzingis Points 24 Accuracy 7-16 Rebounds 13 Assists 0

It was the second lopsided result in as many nights for the Mavericks, who played for the second game in a row without standout Luka Doncic.

Reserves Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided 22 and 19 points, respectively, for Dallas as they accounted for nine 3-point baskets. Dorian Finney-Smith notched 15 points and Jalen Brunson tacked on 13 points to go with eight assists.

Dallas, which scored 37 points in the first quarter, made 19 of its 41 attempts from 3-point range. The Mavericks made 51.8 percent of their field-goal attempts.

Porzingis also had 13 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Charlotte, which was beginning a six-game road trip, has been short-handed because of COVID protocols and illnesses for more than a week. However, Terry Rozier returned to action and scored 20 points, though starters LaMelo Ball and Mason Plumlee remained out, as did reserves Jalen McDaniels and Ish Smith.

Kelly Oubre Jr. also posted 20 points for Charlotte. Gordon Hayward added 17 points and James Bouknight had 13 points.

Hayward and Oubre both drained four 3-pointers, but the Hornets checked in at 13-for-37 on 3-point attempts.

The Mavericks held a 70-43 halftime lead. Charlotte starters accounted for only 18 points in the first half.

Dallas ended up with a 50-38 rebounding advantage.

Doncic is out with an ankle injury. In games he has missed this season, the Mavericks are 2-4.

Other than Rozier, Charlotte starters shot a combined 9-for-27 from the field. That contributed to the team's 39.5 percent shooting from the floor.

The Hornets were also hurt by going 15-for-24 on free throws. Dallas was 15-for-17.

Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis 24 (4/8 2PT, 3/8 3PT, 7/9 FT, 13 REB, 5 BLK), Trey Burke 22 (5/7 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 6 AST), Tim Hardaway 19 (5/11 3PT, 4 AST), Dorian Finney-Smith 15 (3/5 3PT), Jalen Brunson 13 (4/6 2PT, 5/5 FT, 8 AST).Hornets: Terry Rozier 20 (6/8 2PT, 2/6 3PT), Kelly Oubre 20 (4/9 3PT, 4 AST), Gordon Hayward 17 (4/5 3PT, 6 REB, 6 AST), James Bouknight 13 (2/7 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 6 REB), P.J. Washington 11 (5/9 2PT).

Full game highlights:

Kristaps Porzingis highlights:

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