ATLANTA • The New Orleans Pelicans, who began the season 2-10, turned things around with a three-game winning streak.

The Atlanta Hawks, who were 9-2 after a six-game winning streak, are heading the other way with three defeats in a row.

The Pelicans were without all-star Anthony Davis for much of Tuesday's NBA game because of a right-knee contusion, but still rolled to a 112-94 victory over the Hawks.

Tim Frazier matched his career high with 21 points and was one off his best ever with 14 assists for the Pelicans.

"We came out hungry. We jumped on them from the start and continued to fight the whole game," Frazier said. "When (Davis) went down everyone stepped up, but we already had the lead and just kept rolling."

Terrence Jones scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half.

"We started off the game the right way," said coach Alvin Gentry, whose team were up by 20 points after 12 minutes.

"We were really good defensively in the first quarter and because of that we ended up with some easy shots. It was a really good win for us against a quality team."

Davis was hurt when diving into the stands trying to save a loose ball late in the first quarter, crashing into a seat. He returned to start the fourth quarter and finished with 13 points.

"I banged (my knee) on a chair," said Davis. "They worked on the knee and it was good enough to go back in. I'm okay."

The Pelicans' winning streak coincides with the return of Jrue Holiday after the point guard missed the first 12 games to be with his wife - who had surgery for a brain tumour - and their newborn child.

REUTERS