National Basketball Association
Dallas 120, Charlotte 96
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, December 13, 2021
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Officials: #26 Pat Fraher, #27 Mitchell Ervin, #28 Mousa Dagher
Attendance: 19213

Kristaps Porzingis racked up 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks were in control throughout in a 120-96 romp past the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

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.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Charlotte   Dallas
Kelly Oubre Jr. 20 Scoring Kristaps Porzingis 24
Gordon Hayward 6 Assists Jalen Brunson 8
Miles Bridges 10 Rebounds Kristaps Porzingis 13
James Bouknight 3 Free Throws Made Kristaps Porzingis 7
Cody Martin 2 Steals Jalen Brunson 1
Miles Bridges 1 Blocks Kristaps Porzingis 5
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Charlotte 96 39.5 13-37 15-24 22 38 2 8 10
Dallas 120 51.8 19-41 15-17 28 50 8 4 13
Upcoming Games
  • Dallas will play their next game at home against L.A. Lakers. The Mavericks have a W/L % of .429 after a win and .615 after a loss.
  • Charlotte will play their next game on the road against San Antonio. The Hornets have a W/L % of .533 after a win and .500 after a loss.