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 at the beginning of a six-game road trip, has been short-handed because of COVID protocols and illnesses for more than a week. But Terry Rozier returned to action and he scored 20 points, though starters LaMelo Ball and Mason Plumlee remained out along with 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