Davis continues to make franchise history for the Pelicans.
There were eight games on the NBA schedule on Saturday night with the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers slipping to defeats on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis had 30 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in another glittering performance, as his effort sent the Heat to their seventh loss in 11 games.
LeBron James played through back soreness only to twist his ankle, but the night undoubtedly belonged to the second-year All-Star who continues to demonstrate his ability to become a legitimate star of the NBA.
“I don’t care what I score as long as we win,” Davis said. “But if it comes to me, I’m not going to turn down any shots. Whoever has the hot hand, the team goes to them to make sure they stay in their groove.”
He has now scored at least 28 points and grabbed at least nine rebounds in eight straight games, the longest streak since Shaquille O’Neal did it 12 games in a row with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001.
Although James suffered yet another injury, he was able to stay in the game and finish with 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to help Miami avoid falling to 47-21.
However, they didn’t lose any ground on Eastern Conference leaders the Indiana Pacers, as they also suffered a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Pacers were held to a season low in points as Mike Conley added 21 points to secure a well deserved win for the hosts, as their defensive intensity held Paul George to 2-of-10 shooting for just eight points.
There were no such problems for the Chicago Bulls who sent the Philadelphia 76ers to their 24th straight loss with Joakim Noah top-scoring with 20 points along with eight rebounds.
There was some improved play from the Sixers, but the Bulls were in no mood to allow them to end their record-setting losing streak as they improve to 39-31 and are now level with the Toronto Raptors for the third seed.
With the top teams losing all around them, the San Antonio Spurs avoided a potential slip up on the road at the Golden State Warriors, and did so without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili who were both rested.
It was a 13th straight win for the Western Conference-best Spurs who clinched their playoff spot and emerged with a 53-16 record to stretch their lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder to two games whilst also moving further away from the Pacers for the best record in the league.
Tony Parker had 20 points and five assists while Danny Green (18 points) and Thiago Splitter (17 points and 14 rebounds) all stepped up in the absence of the regulars.
NBA Results:
Portland Trail Blazers 94-124 Charlotte Bobcats
Houston Rockets 118-111 Cleveland Cavaliers
Philadelphia 76ers 81-91 Chicago Bulls
Indiana Pacers 71-82 Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat 95-105 New Orleans Pelicans
Orlando Magic 88-89 Utah Jazz
San Antonio Spurs 99-90 Golden State Warriors
Detroit Pistons 103-112 Los Angeles Clippers
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