Pelicans 111, Pistons 106
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Anthony Davis poured in a career-high 59 points, the NBA's highest-scoring outing this season, to carry the New Orleans Pelicans to a 111-106 victory over the slumping Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon at The Palace.
The All-Star power forward shot 24-for-34 from the field and made 9-of-10 free throw attempts. He also grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds.
His previous career high was 43 points, which he reached three times. Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins had the previous NBA high this season with 56 points.
Point guard Jrue Holiday contributed 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for New Orleans (22-33), which has won the last eight meetings.
Point guard Reggie Jackson's 34 points led the Pistons (27-29), who have lost five straight. Center Andre Drummond had 21 points and 13 rebounds and forward Tobias Harris, playing his second game since he was acquired from Orlando, added 16 points.
Both teams lost frontcourt players in the first quarter. Detroit power forward Anthony Tolliver injured his right knee colliding with Drummond and New Orleans center Omer Asik sprained his right ankle.
Davis entered the game averaging 23.6 points and 9.9 rebounds. He exceeded them in the first half, piling up 26 points and 13 rebounds as the teams headed to the locker room tied at 55.
Davis also scored the first two baskets of the second half to reach the 30-point mark. He didn't stop there, hitting the 40-point mark late in the third quarter with an 18-foot jump that gave the Pelicans a 78-73 lead.
Harris soon finished off an 8-0 Pistons' spurt with a 3-pointer, giving them an 81-80 edge. Davis established his new career high with an elbow jumper that put New Orleans on top 84-83.
Holiday scored the Pelicans' next two baskets and a 10-foot shot by Davis made it 94-87 with 3:54 remaining. Davis fired in a 3-pointer just over a minute later for a 99-90 lead.
Harris made a 3-pointer in the final minute to pull Detroit within 105-101. But the Pistons couldn't pull any closer.
NOTES: The Pistons have requested an extension to medically approve their trade deadline deal with Houston. They acquired PF Donatas Motiejunas and SG Marcus Thornton for C Joel Anthony and a first-round pick on Thursday, pending physical exams. They have concerns about Motiejunas' back after he went through an examination on Saturday. "We've got a lot of doctors involved, so we need more time," coach Stan Van Gundy said. ... Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry bristled prior to the game at the notion that PF Anthony Davis has not played at a superstar level this season. "I'd like to see him guarded by one guy and not being double-teamed but that's not the case," Gentry said. "If we were having a good year as a team, and not being decimated by injuries, there would be talk of him for MVP." ... The Pistons play Eastern Conference leader Cleveland on the road Monday, while the Pelicans head to Washington for a Tuesday matchup. ... New Orleans has used 24 lineups. ... The Pistons are 20-7 when they shoot 33 percent or better on 3-point attempts.