NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from the Dallas Mavericks' blowout win over the Charlotte Hornets

Final Score: Dallas Mavericks defeat Charlotte Hornets 122-84

The Dallas Mavericks were on the road to play to their first game of the new year in Charlotte. They were up against the Hornets, who were coming off a blowout win against the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks made 10 first-quarter three-pointers and made life difficult for the Hornets. The hosts were never in the game and suffered an embarrassing 38-point loss at home. Let us take a look at three of the talking points from the Mavericks' blowout win over the Hornets.

---

#3 The Mavericks led by as many as 47 points in the fourth quarter

Dirk Nowitzki scored 6 points on his return after missing the game against the Thunder

Although the Mavericks were on the road, they made sure that that would not stop them from dictating things at the Spectrum Center. Even though the game was tight in the first quarter with scores tied at 22-22, Mavericks' 20-4 run made sure they ended the first quarter strong with a 42-26 lead.

Capitalising on the first quarter lead, the Mavericks never looked back as they finished the half with a 65-41 lead. The Hornets showed some spirit in the third quarter, but the Mavericks would only extend this lead to 29 points.

With all the Mavericks' starters getting benched for the fourth quarter, the Hornets should have cut down the lead. Unfortunately, Dwight Powell's explosive fourth quarter where he scored 13 points only made things worse for the Hornets.

With 4:17 remaining in the fourth quarter, a layup by Jalen Brunson extended their lead to as many as 47 points, making it an embarrassing loss for the Hornets.

#2 Hornets' poor three-point shooting

The Hornets only shot 18.8 % from the three-point land

Charlotte Hornets' three-point stats: 6-for-32 (18.8%)

Dallas Mavericks' three-point stats: 18-for-45 (40.0%)

The Hornets are one of the top shooting teams in the league this season, knocking them down at 35.8% from the field. Nicolas Batum's shooting has been sort of a revelation for this team this season, with the 30-year-old shooting at 40.2% from distance.

Last night, while Batum shot 2-for-3 from long range, no one else tasted success from the three-point line. Their All-Star Kemba Walker went 0-for-5, and the 23-year-old guard Devonte' Graham shot 2-for-8.

However, the biggest disappointment was the bench's shooting as they combined for 0-for-13 from the three-point line. On a night when the Mavericks went 18-for-45 and shot at 40.0 percentage, the Hornets could not answer in return.

#1 Luka Doncic's double-double performance

Luka Doncic scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double

Stat line: 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists on 43.8 % shooting

Coming off an impressive 17-point performance in the loss against the Thunder, just a couple of days ago, Luka Doncic started the new year with a strong performance against the Hornets. The rookie knocked down a three-pointer in the first quarter to begin the proceedings.

Doncic's first nine points of his eighteen came as three-pointers and in the first quarter. Even though he missed shots, later on, he still made an impact on the game as he dished out dimes and also fought hard for rebounds.

The European finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in three-quarters of action. This was his seventh double-double of the season, and he did not play in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks were already ahead by 29 points at the end of three quarters.