Pelicans (41-30), Mavericks (22-49)
Ian Clark is no stranger to stepping in to replace a bigger name during the late stages of the regular season, scoring a career-high 36 points for Golden State last March, when the Warriors rested numerous starters in San Antonio. Just over a year later, Clark performed a similar act when New Orleans needed it badly. New Orleans No. 2 scorer Jrue Holiday missed Tuesday’s game vs. Dallas due to illness, but Clark came off the bench to supply 19 points on 9/15 shooting. Combined with another All-NBA performance by Anthony Davis (37 points) and a near triple-double by Rajon Rondo (19 points, nine rebounds, 14 assists), New Orleans picked up a second straight victory on its home floor, moving at least temporarily into at least sixth place in the Western Conference.