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Pelicans (35-29), Bucks (33-30)

MILWAUKEE – Behind another sterling performance from Anthony Davis and contributions from a wide range of other Pelicans, New Orleans continued its winning ways since the All-Star break, outlasting Milwaukee in a shootout and entertaining interconference matchup. Davis matched his NBA high by pouring in 43 points, with his deep two-point jumper particularly effective. The two-time All-Star scored 20 points in the first half and tacked on 23 more in the second. Eric Gordon added more perimeter shooting (16 points, three three-pointers). The one downer for the Pelicans was a second-half left ankle injury to Tyreke Evans that caused him to miss the rest of the game, but Fox Sports NOLA sideline reporter Jen Hale noted that Evans was putting weight on the leg later during the fourth quarter. New Orleans cut its deficit behind Oklahoma City (35-28) to a half game and will have a chance Tuesday to pull even with the Thunder, with a game at Brooklyn.

IT WAS OVER WHEN…

Norris Cole sank two free throws with 38 seconds left, giving New Orleans a 110-103 lead. Following four clutch points by Anthony Davis that made it 108-103 after it had been a one-point margin, Quincy Pondexter picked up a steal and called timeout. Pondexter’s immense hustle play gave the Pelicans the ball with 39 ticks to go. New Orleans tacked on two more Cole free throws and an Omer Asik putback at the buzzer.

PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Playing about 90 miles north of where he grew up in the city of Chicago, Anthony Davis authored another huge game against the Bucks. Davis was locked in from the get-go Monday, sinking three jumpers in the first quarter and flowing with confidence. Davis finished an ultra-efficient 17-for-23 from the field and 9-for-11 on free throws. He had double-digit points in three quarters, including 12 in the third and 11 in the fourth. While tying his career high in scoring with 43 points, Davis also set a career mark for assists, handing out six against the Bucks.

PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR

Playing on a 10-day contract, Elliot Williams hadn’t scored yet for the Pelicans prior to Monday, but he made a nice impact in Milwaukee, with eight points. Williams nailed two three-pointers and brought his teammates off their seats on the sideline in the fourth quarter with a pretty lefty reverse layup.

QUOTES TO NOTE

“I just tried to come out aggressive and make everyone around me better, passing the ball, getting guys involved. When my opportunity was there to score, I just tried to. Especially on the road, the team looks to me to try to get everybody going.” – Anthony Davis on his 43-point, six-assist game

“We know what position we’re in (amid the West playoff race). I wasn’t trying to lose games. That was my mindset. I knew that Tyreke went down (to injury). I know guys lean on me more. I tried to not to let the team lose, or let that lead get away. I tried to keep everybody composed and make the right plays.” – Anthony Davis on his mentality

“He’s a great player right now. He’s in a great rhythm. I’m glad to see he’s healthy. He’s showing why he’s a superstar. He carried the load tonight and we needed it. He came up big when we needed it.” – Norris Cole on Anthony Davis

“It’s been a team, collective effort, where everybody’s contributing. Quincy made some good plays, Dante made a couple good plays, it was good to see Elliot come in off the bench and make some good plays. It’s a good, collective effort by everybody.” – Eric Gordon on the Pelicans’ recent play

BY THE NUMBERS

33.5, 11.8, 4.5: Anthony Davis’ averages in points, rebounds and blocks since returning from a right shoulder injury.

8-3: Pelicans’ record since the All-Star break, including 8-2 since Norris Cole joined the team in Miami on Feb. 21. New Orleans was 20-21 at the midway point of the 82-game regular season, but has gone 15-8 since then.

58.7, 60.0, 81.0: New Orleans shooting percentages at Milwaukee in field goals, three-pointers and free throws, respectively. Overall, it may have been the Pelicans’ best performance shooting-wise of 2014-15.

#TAKEFLIGHT QUESTION OF THE NIGHT

What did you enjoy most about Anthony Davis’ 43-point game at Milwaukee?

From @nolakid_miguel: the efficiency. 43 points on 23 shots! Not Russ, Lebron, Harden, or curry are doing that #MVP

From @sam_alexander19: his 6 assists, learning how to effectively pass out of the double team makes him one step closer to being UNSTOPPABLE

From @diggle26: The confidence with which he took every jump shot especially down the stretch

From @HNoll21: that the team looked to him… Early in the season at the end of games it just seemed like whoever had the ball shot it

From @cgroooo: the 6 assists. Gotta love seein him pass the ball as well as go off scoring like usual