Davis has 41, hits 3 at buzzer to lift Pelicans over Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Anthony Davis scored 41 points and hit a 3-pointer as time expired that gave the New Orleans Pelicans a thrilling 116-113 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.

Davis also grabbed 10 rebounds and outdueled Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who had a career-high 48 points to go with 11 assists and nine rebounds. Westbrook, who scored 45 points as part of a triple-double Wednesday in a win at New Orleans, made three free throws with 1.2 seconds left to tie the game.

Davis took the ensuing inbounds pass from Tyreke Evans and, with Kevin Durant running at him, swished the game-winning shot to silence a raucous sellout crowd.

In the competitive Western Conference, ninth-place New Orleans moved to 27-23 and took a two-game lead over Oklahoma City (25-25). Both teams are chasing the Phoenix Suns (29-23) for the final playoff spot in the West.

New Orleans also won the season series 3-1 over Oklahoma City, a tiebreaker that would be applied if both teams finish with the same record.

The Pelicans trailed by 12 midway through the third quarter but scored 14 straight points to take a seven-point lead early in the fourth. The teams traded dramatic plays the rest of the way.

Durant scored 27 points, including a pair of 3s in the fourth quarter, but went 9 of 26 from the field. The reigning MVP returned after missing four of the previous five games with a sprained left big toe.

Andre Roberson's layup with 22.3 seconds left pulled Oklahoma City to 111-110. Evans, who had 22 points and 16 assists, missed two free throws with 17.8 seconds to go, setting up a wild final sequence.

Durant missed a 20-foot jumper that could have put the Thunder ahead. Evans rebounded, but threw an outlet pass right into Durant's hands. Durant missed again, this time on a floater, and Davis rebounded with 2.8 seconds left and made two free throws.

Westbrook took the ensuing inbounds pass and was fouled on a 3 by Quincy Pondexter before making the tying free throws. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Westbrook joined Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain as the most recent players to have at least 45 points with five rebounds and five assists in consecutive games.

Westbrook also became the first NBA player this season to have consecutive games of 40 points or more.

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TIP-INS

Pelicans: Evans and Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins each received a first-quarter technical foul after briefly jawing at the 4:17 mark. ... Evans set a career high with his 16 assists.

Thunder: C Steven Adams was whistled for a technical foul with 3:40 left in the third quarter. ... Serge Ibaka fouled out with 3:01 left with 10 points. . In addition to Durant, Thunder F Perry Jones also returned from injury on Friday. Jones, who had been out for two games with an ankle injury, did not play.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Host Chicago on Saturday.

Thunder: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.