Davis, Rondo, push Pelicans past Lakers, 128-125

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis capped a 33-point performance with two clutch free throws and a game-sealing steal in the final seconds, Rajon Rondo had 24 points and 10 assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans erased an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-125 on Thursday night.

Rondo scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, when the Pelicans could not have been blamed if they had faded, giving they were playing for the fifth time in six nights.

Instead, they produced a riveting rally that pulled them into fourth place in the Western Conference with nine games left in the regular season. Rondo’s final baskets included a 29-foot 3 to cut Los Angeles’ lead to 125-124 with 2:28 left, followed by his driving layup that put New Orleans in front for good with 2:01 to play.

New Orleans, which had a game against Indiana rescheduled this week because of a roof leak that postponed a game in February, became the first team since Seattle in 1979 to win three home games on consecutive nights. New Orleans has won four straight since beating Boston on Sunday and 15 of 19 since Feb. 10.

Kentavious Caldwellpope tied a career-high with eight 3s and finished with 28 points, but did not get a shot in the Lakers’ final few possessions. Instead, Lonzo Ball missed two 3-point attempts and Julius Randle — who had 23 points and 10 rebounds — missed a driving floater from about 7 feet.

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