New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) drives against Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, in New Orleans. The Pelicans won 115-89. AP
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana—Anthony Davis scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 115-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Tyreke Evans nearly added a triple-double, scoring 24 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists and reserve Jrue Holiday had 19 points as New Orleans won two straight games for just the second time this season.
The game turned with 4 minutes to play in the first half when New Orleans turned a two-point lead into a 51-36 halftime advantage. Evans had eight points and two steals to key the game-changing run.
New Orleans played counter to its season-long defensive character against Portland. Despite being last in the league in points allowed per game (107.8) and next-to-last in opponent’s field goal percentage (46.5), New Orleans held the Blazers to 30 percent shooting over the final three quarters.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, got hot from 3-point range to help extend the lead. After starting the game 2 of 14 from beyond the arc, New Orleans went 10 for 15. Holiday, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon combined for nine of the 12 3-pointers.
C.J. McCollum had 19 points and seven assists to lead Portland, which was without Damian Lillard for the second time this season.