Dirk Nowitzki has admitted that the Dallas Mavericks dodged a bullet during their 100-97 win over the New Orleans Pelicans last night.

The German put the visitors ahead late on, but the Pelicans had a chance to level the scores in the final moments of the game, after Ryan Anderson was left wide open for the hosts, but his shot missed.

The 35-year-old told reporters: "It could have gone either way. Finally, we were on the other end one time in execution and getting some stops and getting some big rebounds. It was definitely a good one to get against a very good team.

"We switched at the end and left him open. I don't know what happened. [Anderson] had a clean look from the top of the key, which he probably makes eight out of 10, so we really dodged a bullet.

"It's not very often you win on the road getting pounded on the glass by 20 boards, but we'll definitely take it."

The Mavericks play the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.