Khris Middleton scored 25 points and P.J. Washington added 23 as the Dallas Mavericks held off the Indiana Pacers 134-130 on Sunday, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Middleton filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds and seven assists, helping Dallas place six players in double figures. Washington grabbed nine rebounds, and Marvin Bagley III posted 12 points and 11 boards. The win was Dallas’ first since Jan. 22 and ended its longest skid since the 1997-98 season.
Indiana welcomed back Pascal Siakam from a three-game absence, and the All-Star forward led the way with 30 points and eight rebounds. Andrew Nembhard added 22 points and 11 assists, Jarace Walker contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Kobe Brown scored a career-high 15. The Pacers fell to 0-3 since the All-Star break and lost at home for the first time since Feb. 3.
Dallas led most of the way but had to fend off several Indiana pushes. The Mavericks were up 36-33 after one quarter and 71-66 at halftime. A 12-3 run in the third stretched the margin to 94-84, but the Pacers trimmed it to 117-114 midway through the fourth. Indiana never reclaimed the lead.
The Pacers played without Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac and T.J. McConnell due to injuries, and coach Rick Carlisle said before the game that All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton is also dealing with shingles. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg missed his third straight game with a sprained left foot.
Up next:
The Mavericks visit Brooklyn on Tuesday, while the Pacers host Philadelphia.
