Wizards restrict Davis' magic as Pelicans lose

Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and the Western Conference warms up prior to the NBA All-Star Game 2016 on Feb 14, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON • Anthony Davis normally receives plenty of defensive attention.

After the New Orleans Pelicans star's scoring spree in his previous outing, there was no way the Washington Wizards were going to let the big man have another landmark game.

Guard John Wall registered his second triple-double of the season, and the Wizards collectively silenced Davis for a 109-89 win over the Pelicans in the National Basketball Association on Tuesday.

Wall finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Wizards, who have won three of four since the All-Star break.

Washington (26-29) outscored New Orleans 31-14 in the third quarter for an 85-65 lead, and they led by 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Wizards centre Marcin Gortat had 21 points, and forward Jared Dudley sank six three-pointers for 18 points. The effort on the other end of the court fuelled the victory.

Davis mustered only nine points on three-of-nine shooting for the Pelicans after scoring 59 points on 24-of-34 shooting on Sunday in a win over the Detroit Pistons.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Davis had the second-biggest scoring drop-off in NBA history following a 55-plus-point game. San Antonio's Tony Parker went from 55 points to four in 2008.

"I just think they tried to double-team me, deny me the ball - a lot," Davis said.

There was little reason to focus elsewhere. None of New Orleans' starters scored in double figures, as the Pelicans shot a season-low 34.9 per cent from the field.

"They did a great job on him," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said of the defence against Davis.

"A guy gets 59, I guarantee you (a) game-plan for him the next game."

Davis did grab 20 rebounds for the second game in a row, but the Wizards had the winning defensive plan, as multiple defenders fronted and played behind Davis throughout.

"We kept a body on him," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said.

Guard Jrue Holiday scored 20 points and forward Ryan Anderson had 16 points for the Pelicans, who had won four of five games before Tuesday's loss.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 25, 2016, with the headline Wizards restrict Davis' magic as Pelicans lose. Subscribe