Davis, Pelicans surge past Spurs
Anthony Davis had 26 points and 15 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans rallied in the final two minutes to beat San Antonio 121-116 on Wednesday night, adding to the Spurs’ misery after losing LaMarcus Aldridge to an injury in the first half.
New Orleans won its seventh straight after trailing by as many as 15 points.
San Antonio, which has been without Kawhi Leonard for all but nine games this season, lost Aldridge to a sprained right ankle late in the first half. Aldridge landed awkwardly while defending a driving hook shot by Davis with three minutes left in the second quarter.
The injury would prove critical down the stretch for the Spurs, who’ve lost five of their past six. The team did not immediately disclose how long Aldridge will be out.
Jrue Holiday finished with 25 points and Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 12 assists for the Pelicans.
San Antonio had six players in double figures, including 19 from Rudy Gay and 18 from Dejounte Murray.
The Pelicans pulled within 105-102 with eight minutes remaining on a 3-pointer by Darius Miller. Davis’ dunk gave New Orleans its first lead at 114-113 with just under two minutes left.
ROCKETS 105, CLIPPERS 92 >> James Harden scored 25 points, and Clint Capela (22 points, 14 rebounds) had a double-double as Houston won its 14th consecutive game. Tobias Harris led Los Angeles with 24 points. The Rockets, who lead the Warriors by a slim margin for the best record in the West, were in control from the start. They led 3412 afte the first quarter and 61-43 at the half. THUNDER 111, MAVERICKS 110 >> Russell Westbrook scored 30 points, including the goahead three-point play in the final minute of overtime, to lead Oklahoma City. Paul George had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Adams had nine points and 12 boards.
CELTICS 134, HORNETS 106 >> Kyrie Irving scored 34 points in the first three quarters, and then sat out the fourth with the rest of Boston’s starters as the Celtics won their fourth straight and ended Charlotte’s fivegame winning streak. RAPTORS 117, MAGIC 104 >> DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points, and Kyle Lowry added 17 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as Toronto won for the 11th time in 13 games. Orlando has lost seven straight.
SUNS 110, GRIZZLIES 102 >> Devin Booker scored 34 points, and Josh Jackson added a career-best 29 as Phoenix Suns snapped a 10-game losing streak while handing Memphis its 11th straight defeat.
“NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM” GETS PLAY >> Several teams have played what is known as the “negro national anthem” at games during Black History Month thanks in part to the urging of a retired Howard University professor. Eugene Williams, a 76-yearold retiree in Clinton, Maryland, has made it his goal to get professional and collegiate teams to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during February. He has been calling and writing teams for the past six months. The Wizards, Thunder, Cavaliers and Warriors halve all player “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in February. ILYASOVA RETURNS >> Ersan Ilyasova is returning to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers signed the forward from Turkey after he was waived by the Atlanta Hawks. Ilyasova played for the 76ers in the 2016-17 season before he was traded to Atlanta. To make room, the 76ers waived Trevor Booker.