Wizards (26-29), Pelicans (22-34)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During Sunday’s 59-point game at Detroit, Alvin Gentry told Anthony Davis to make sure he capitalized on the chance to put up a huge scoring number, because they don’t come all the time. Two days after Davis authored an NBA-season high tally of 59 points, he managed just nine points at Washington. The Wizards surrounded the three-time All-Star whenever he touched the ball near the paint, nearly always bringing over an extra defender. On a poor shooting night, New Orleans couldn’t capitalize, connecting on just 34.9 percent of its attempts from the floor, including 6/23 three-point accuracy. Davis shot just 3/9 himself. Oddly, on a night where he struggled offensively, Davis pulled down 20 rebounds for a second straight game, coming up one shy of his career high. The drop-off in scoring was similar to a few other prolific players in the NBA this season, including Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, who piled up 56 points in a game but 17 the next time, as well as Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, who had 53 but then just four in his follow-up.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Nene threw down an emphatic dunk with 2 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving Washington a 20-point lead. The Wizards led just 54-51 at halftime, but went on a 14-0 run, sparked by the accurate three-point shooting of Jared Dudley (6/9 on treys through three quarters). Washington outscored New Orleans 31-14 in the period, giving it a comfortable margin en route to its first win since acquiring forward Markieff Morris at the trade deadline. New Orleans never seriously threatened in the final stanza.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ryan Anderson bounced back from a 1/12 shooting performance at Detroit two days earlier, this time compiling 16 points on 7/11 shooting. Anderson was a big factor behind New Orleans keeping it close in the first half, scoring 12 of his points. He started 5/6 from the field.
PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR
Toney Douglas deposited double-digit scoring off the bench with 10 points. Douglas joined Anderson (16 points) and Jrue Holiday (20 points) in a reserve group that was much more productive than New Orleans’ starters. The second string notched a combined 57 points.
