Pelicans (16-27), Bucks (19-27)
For nearly three quarters Saturday, New Orleans and Milwaukee played a game that seemed headed for late-game drama, but the Pelicans suddenly put together their best stretch of the night, taking over the interconference matchup and running away from the Bucks. After it was tied at 71 with two-plus minutes left in the third period, New Orleans was up 84-74 by the end of the stanza. The hosts later would lead by as many as 19 points in the fourth. As a result, the Pelicans matched their longest winning streak of 2015-16 at three games and are now 5-1 in the last six games, moving closer to the pack in the Western Conference playoff chase. New Orleans broke its franchise record for three-pointers made in a game (17) and dished out its most assists of the season (33).
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Anthony Davis threw down an alley oop dunk off a feed from Jrue Holiday with 3:23 left, giving New Orleans a 107-90 lead. It was Holiday’s eighth assist of the game, the fifth time in the past six games he’s had at least that many. Milwaukee fill-in head coach Joe Prunty subbed in his deep reserves at the next timeout, as the Bucks went 0-2 on a Gulf Coast back-to-back that began in Houston last night.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
As he’s known to often do in the Smoothie King Center, Ryan Anderson was locked in from beyond the three-point arc, draining five three-pointers in the first three quarters alone, a big chunk of the New Orleans offense. Anderson tacked on another three-ball midway through the fourth quarter to give the Pelicans a 17-point lead. Overall, the reserve forward shot 6/11 from three-point range and tallied a team-high 23 points. Anderson was plus-21 in the game, while fellow reserve Jrue Holiday was a whopping plus-32.
PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR
With Eric Gordon sidelined 4-6 weeks and Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole picking up two quick first-quarter fouls, Toney Douglas was needed immediately off the bench. The veteran combo guard responded with one of his best games of the season, probably his most valuable performance in 2015-16. Douglas fired in four three-pointers and totaled 14 points in 24 minutes. He also handed out four assists and had three steals.
