DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 33 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 19 in his return from injury and the Dallas Mavericks took a big step toward avoiding the play-in tournament with a 125-107 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans were eliminated from postseason contention while playing without four injured starters. Lonzo Ball was the latest as a scratch with a strained right thumb. Eric Bledsoe and Jaxson Hayes scored 15 points apiece for the Pelicans. The Mavericks need a win or a loss by the Los Angeles Lakers to clinch at least the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
