Pelicans (23-34), Thunder (41-17)
For the third time this season on national TV at home, New Orleans took down one of the NBA’s heavyweights, overtaking Oklahoma City in an exciting, high-scoring affair. The Pelicans emerged with one of their best victories of the season on TNT, after defeating San Antonio and Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland on ESPN in November and December, respectively. In addition to another big night from Anthony Davis, the New Orleans bench did a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly during the fourth quarter. It was a three- or two-point game after each of the first three periods, but the Pelicans managed to build a lead of a dozen points behind the likes of Toney Douglas, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Russell Westbrook misfired on a deep left-wing three-point attempt with less than 10 seconds remaining. New Orleans gathered in the defensive rebound and dribbled out the final handful of seconds, sealing a win on the first night of a two-game homestand that continues Saturday vs. Minnesota. The Pelicans had led 117-105 on a Anderson trey with three-plus minutes to go, but the Thunder rallied to make it a nerve-wracking final few minutes.
