Anthony Davis trumped LeBron James as the New Orleans Pelicans withstood a Cleveland rally to defeat the Cavaliers 114-108 in overtime.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered an overtime loss to New Orleans on Friday night, and not all appeared to be well afterwards.
In ATS trends, the Cavs are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall and 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, while the Pelicans are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games following a loss and 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall. Anthony Davis had a monster game of 29 points and 13 rebounds, Ryan Anderson added 19 points while Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans had 10 points each, but in a tight contest, the Pelicans just fell away late against the Rockets who had James Harden.
However, the Cavaliers outscored the Pelicans, 24-11, over the final minutes of play, thanks in large part to the 13 points LeBron James scored in the waning moments of regulation.
The Cavs had a three-point lead with under 30 seconds to play, but Jrue Holiday drained a clutch three-pointer to tie the game with eight seconds remaining, which ultimately forced the extra period.
After trailing most of the first two-plus quarters, New Orleans suddenly surged in front with 14-2 run ignited by Gordon, who hit a 21-foot jumper, a tough 7-foot fade in traffic and a 3 during the spurt.
James saved his best work for last, from a terrific, slashing three-point play to attacking the basket and making the elbow jumper that gave the Cavs their first lead since midway through the third quarter.
James’ consecutive fast-break baskets – the second a reverse layup as he was fouled – cut the Pelicans’ lead to 98-97. Then James’ 17-foot step-back, followed by his driving layup around 7-footer Omer Asik, put Cleveland up by 3. That included a clinching jumper that hit the rim and backboard before bouncing on the rim a couple more times and going in for a four-point lead with seven seconds left.
Deron Williams had 22 points and six assists to lead the Mavericks. 500 at 10-10. Brook Lopez scored 21 points, and Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Nets.
In the third game since announcing his retirement plans earlier this week, Bryant scored 14 points on 4-for-19 shooting.
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Smith’s 15 points helped stake Cleveland to a 27-21 lead after a first quarter in which the Pelicans shot 36.8 percent.
