3 Biggest takeaways from Pelicans’ second preseason win against the Mavericks

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 101-97 on Wednesday night to secure their second preseason victory. Head coach Jamahl Mosley experimented with a new starting lineup featuring Jeremiah Fears, Bennedict Mathurin, Saddiq Bey, Karlo Matkovic, and Yves Missi, while bringing Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III off the bench. Dallas played without Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, and New Orleans was missing Dejounte Murray due to a toe injury.

Pelican Debrief writer Chris Lambert outlined three primary takeaways from the win, arguing that New Orleans must build around 20-year-old Fears following his 16-point performance. Lambert also asserted that Jordan Poole deserves a starting backcourt role based on his defensive effort, and suggested that floor-spacing big man Matkovic should receive significant minutes this season after scoring 11 points.