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Davis, Pelicans rout Lakers

Apr 2, 2015 - 5:33 AM Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Davis scored 20 points with seven rebounds and six assists to lead the New Orleans Pelicans in a 113-92 victory over the Los Angels Lakers on Wednesday night.

Ryan Anderson and Norris Cole each had 17 points off the bench, and Tyreke Evans posted 16 points with eight assists for the Pelicans, who have won three straight.

Anderson had not played since Feb. 21 due to a sprained MCL in his right knee.

"My prayer before the game was give me some lungs," Anderson joked. "Overall I feel good. It felt good to be back out there."

New Orleans now sits 1 1/2 games behind Oklahoma City for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

"This was a huge game for us," said Pelicans coach Monty Williams. "We didn't start well. We have to take care of our business. We can't worry about anybody else."

Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 18 points and 10 assists, while Tarik Black added a career-high 16 points.

The Lakers have lost three of their last four.

"It was tough tonight, because they have 7-footers just waiting by the rim to rebound the ball," Black said. "We have to find a way to play acceptable basketball."

Los Angeles led 31-29 after the first quarter, then it was all New Orleans the rest of the way.

The Pelicans opened the second quarter on a 14-4 run for a 43-35 lead. The Lakers remained in striking distance until Anderson canned successive 3- pointers late in the frame to help the visitors to a 60-49 lead at the break.

Eric Gordon's 3-pointer with 5:25 left in the third put New Orleans up 81-61, and it held a 20-point edge entering the fourth. The Pelicans had no problem closing out the struggling Lakers in the final frame.

Game Notes

The Pelicans went 9-of-16 from behind the arc ... Each team committed seven turnovers ... Gordon and Quincy Pondexter each had 10 points in the win ... New Orleans' largest lead was 25.