Davis powers Pelicans past Durant-less Thunder
Russell Westbrook had the ball in his hands with 10 seconds remaining and a chance to play the role of hero. But the Oklahoma City Thunder's point guard bricked a potential game-winning 3-point attempt to allow the New Orleans Pelicans to squeak by with a nail-biting 101-99 win on the road Sunday.
Anthony Davis scored a game-high 38 points and hauled in 12 rebounds to lead the Pelicans, falling just five points shy of his career-high mark of 43 he dropped on the Utah Jazz in November.
New Orleans point guard Jrue Holiday came up with a key steal and found Davis for a dunk with just under three minutes remaining to give the Pelicans a two-point lead they wouldn't relinquish. Holiday scored 11 points and matched his career high with 15 assists.
The 21-year-old Davis shot an efficient 16-of-22 from the field in his ninth 30-plus point game this season, and added three blocks to his league-leading total. Davis's big night moved the Pelicans to one game over .500 (14-13) and into sole possession of the No. 8 seed in the loaded Western Conference.
Westbrook and Reggie Jackson did their best to carry a shorthanded Thunder team, but Oklahoma City went cold down the stretch. The Thunder didn't score in the final 3:45 of play, including six missed field goals from Westbrook.
He still filled up the stat sheet, though, scoring 29 points, dishing out eight assists and securing five rebounds. It was the eighth consecutive game in which Westbrook scored at least 25 points - a career-high streak for the three-time All-Star.
Jackson, meanwhile, scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half.
The Thunder were without superstar Kevin Durant for the second straight game due to a right ankle sprain. Durant is considered day-to-day, and his next chance to play is Tuesday when Oklahoma City hosts the Portland Trail Blazers.
Oklahoma City is 7-2 when Durant plays and 6-13 without the reigning MVP.