Anthony Davis had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 90-75 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Eric Gordon scored 15 points, Tyreke Evans had 14, and Dante Cunningham and Norris Cole each added 12 to help the Pelicans keep pace with Oklahoma City for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Omer Asik had a season-high 18 rebounds.
Eric Bledsoe led Phoenix with 19 points.
Davis' night nearly ended early after getting tangled near the basket with the Suns' Earl Barron, whose elbow struck the New Orleans forward below the chin in the second quarter. Davis was hunched over with his hands clasping his throat before slowly walked off the court and into the home locker room.
He returned in the fourth to a rousing ovation and had six points and five rebounds in the final 11 minutes.
New Orleans limited Phoenix to 35 percent shooting and outrebounded the Suns 56-43. Phoenix had only 13 second-chance points as the Pelicans came up with 41 defensive rebounds.
