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Evans helps Pelicans snap Suns' streak

Dec 31, 2014 - 3:47 AM New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tyreke Evans scored 24 points with eight rebounds and was instrumental down the stretch to help the New Orleans Pelicans in a 110-106 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Jrue Holiday had 21 points with six assists and Anthony Davis contributed 19 points and season-high 18 rebounds for the Pelicans, who have won two of their last three.

"I am really thankful to our fans. I thought our guys got a ton of energy from this city tonight," said Pelicans coach Monty Williams. "As happy as I am about the numbers, winning the game, I'm really proud of how our fans hung in with us down the stretch."

Goran Dragic paced the Suns with 22 points, Eric Bledsoe tallied 21 points with eight assists and Gerald Green scored 17 off the bench. Markieff Morris added 13 points for Phoenix, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

P.J. Tucker made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 95-95 with over four minutes to play.

The score was still tied until Evans knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:32 remaining, then Dragic threw it away and Dante Cunningham swiped the loose ball. Evans made the turnover count with a jumper from the top of the key for a 104-100 edge.

Bledsoe converted a tough layup at the other end to cut the deficit in half with 38.7 seconds left.

Evans used some clock prior to driving the lane and converting a layup that rattled in. Dragic caught the transition defense sleeping and raced down the floor to make a layup. Evans was then fouled and made both free throws to restore the four-point cushion with 14 seconds left.

Each team then traded free throws and Isaiah Thomas' 3-pointer in the closing seconds was off the mark as New Orleans held on.

The Pelicans led 73-66 after a Davis jumper, then Phoenix responded with 11 straight points. Dragic scored the first seven points of the surge before Morris capped it with a layup for a 77-73 lead.

The Pelicans scored the final six points of the frame, however, and led 81-79 entering the fourth.

New Orleans jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter. Thomas and Marcus Morris each connected on a 3-pointer to close the quarter and help the Suns cut their deficit to 31-25.

The game remained tight in the second stanza with New Orleans clinging to a 55-53 lead at the break.

Game Notes

Ryan Anderson had 19 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc and Omer Asik deposited 11 points with eight rebounds ... New Orleans shot 51.9 percent from the floor, while Phoenix made 47.7 percent of its shots ... The Pelicans had a 49-38 rebounding edge and also outscored the Suns, 58-48 in the paint.