Davis Returns, Pelicans Down Lakers, 96-80

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 29 points and blocked four shots in his return from a sprained toe, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the slumping Los Angeles Lakers, 96-80, on Wednesday night.

Eric Gordon had 17 points and a season-high 10 assists for New Orleans. Tyreke Evans added 19 points and Quincy Pondexter finished with 12.

Los Angeles shot 37 percent from the field in its sixth consecutive loss.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant returned after missing two games as part of coach Byron Scott's plan to give the 36-year-old guard extra rest this season. He scored 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting, not the dominant type of performance Los Angeles would have needed to overcome Davis and Co.

Jordan Hill had 15 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, which was 4 for 20 from the field in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers played the game close for three quarters, helped by a spurt in which Bryant threw down a driving two-handed dunk and turned a steal into an open 3. Los Angeles took a 68-67 lead on Wayne Ellington's free throws in the last minute of the third quarter, but Pondexter responded with a slashing, double-pump scoop to give New Orleans a lead it would not relinquish.

Davis helped the Pelicans pull away in the fourth by hitting a quick baseline turnaround as he was fouled by Robert Sacre and a 15-foot jumper that made it 76-68. He then blocked Nick Young and Gordon converted a driving layup to give New Orleans a 10-point cushion.

Los Angeles fell behind with Bryant on the bench as part of Scott's plan to cap his minutes at 32 per game. By the time Bryant checked back in with 5 minutes left, New Orleans led by 12.

Bryant, whose arm appeared to be bothering him, shot only twice more in the game, hitting a 14-foot turnaround and missing an 8-footer, then checked out with 1:09 left.

Los Angeles led by as many as nine in the first half when Young hit a layup as he was fouled by Omer Asik, making it 42-33.

But New Orleans closed out the second quarter on a 10-2 run during which Davis hit jumpers from 15 and 19 feet, pulling New Orleans to 44-43 at halftime.

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