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Pelicans’ Davis, Gordon too much for Cavaliers
Photo
The Cavaliers’ Luol Deng, left, drives around the Pelicans’ Al-Farouq Aminu during the first quarter of their NBA game, Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Cleveland fell to New Orleans, 100-89. Deng, who has been slowed by an injured Achillies, scored only six points.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Anthony Davis isn’t worried about making the All-Star team. He may have nothing to fear.
Davis padded his resume by scoring 30 points with eight blocks and seven rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 20, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 100-89 win over the puzzling Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Davis, one of three No. 1 overall picks on the floor, was dominant from baseline to baseline as the Pelicans won their third straight.
With New Orleans hosting next month’s All-Star weekend, the Pelicans are hoping their second-year star will be added to the Western Conference’s squad when reserves are named Thursday night.
“Everybody keeps talking about All-Star, and should he be an All-Star,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. “All you have to do is look at tonight. Show me other bigs who are doing it on both ends like he does every single night.”
Davis dislocated his left index finger in the final minutes, but got taped up during a timeout and stayed in.
New Orleans scored 16 straight points to close the first half and opened a 22-point lead in the third, causing some fans to boo the listless Cavaliers, who followed a 3-2 trip out West by going 1-4 on their homestand. Cleveland’s lone win was against Milwaukee, which has the NBA’s worst record.
“Our competitive spirit is non-existent,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “Maybe I need to shake some things up.”
Kyrie Irving scored 23 and Dion Waiters 21 for Cleveland. Rookie Anthony Bennett, the first pick in last year’s draft, scored a season-high 15 and was the lone bright spot for the Cavs. A major disappointment so far, the 6-foot-8 Canadian added eight rebounds and played 31 minutes — his most action this season.
Davis scored 11 points in the third quarter, when he showed off his well-rounded game. He swished a long jumper, dropped a runner, nailed a bank shot and, of course, dunked.
Missing Anderson Varejao, who was out with a hyperextended and bruised left knee, the Cavs had no defensive answer for Davis, who was coming off a 22-point, 19-rebound, seven-block performance in a win over Orlando.
As the Pelicans were putting the finishing touches on the win, Davis injured his finger and came to the bench in obvious pain. He bent over as a trainer worked on his fingers and several of Davis’ teammates patted him on the back as he was treated.
Davis returned to the floor, but didn’t have to do much in the final three minutes as the Pelicans had already wrapped up their 10th road victory.
Davis said the All-Star talk is not distracting.
“It’s cool,” Davis said.