Mavericks host Pelicans in first of two with division lead on line

(Photo credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks are tied for first place in the Southwest Division.

That tie will be broken when they face each other Saturday night in the first of two head-to-head matchups in three nights in Dallas.

The tie arose after the Pelicans lost Friday night at Denver, 125-113, which was only New Orleans' second defeat in eight games and ended a seven