Looking for their fourth win in their last five games, the Pacers took a 61-48 lead into halftime on Friday night in Dallas.
With All-Star guard Luka Doncic sidelined by lower back tightness, Kristaps Porzingis picked up the offensive slack early for the Mavericks, scoring 13 of Dallas' first 17 points.
The Pacers' offense was more balanced but just as good in the first quarter, as Indiana made six 3-pointers in the opening frame and Goga Bitadze's buzzer-beating hook shot gave the visitors a 31-29 lead after one.
The 3-point barrage continued in the second quarter.