Mark Williams had 15 points (10 in the paint) and 16 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-104.
P.J. Washington’s corner 3-pointer answered Kyrie Irving’s 3-pointer and put the Hornets back ahead for good with 3:17 left in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks got within 106-104 on Maxi Kleber’s 3-pointer with 56 seconds to play, but Williams answered with a reverse layup, and the Mavericks got no closer.
Svi Mykhailiuk’s 2 free throws with 16.4 seconds left made it 110-104 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Hornets outscored the Mavericks 14-9. Williams scored 5 of the Hornets’ 14 on 1 for 1 shooting and 3 for 4 at the line.
Gordon Hayward scored 22 points (11 in the first quarter), and Washington added 21 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.
For the Mavericks, Luka Dončić had 40 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Mavericks got 3 offensive rebounds, about 6 fewer than usual for the shots they missed. The Hornets outscored the Mavericks 48-26 in the paint. The Hornets’ starters outscored the Mavericks 40-24 in 17 minutes together.