The New Orleans Pelicans (43 - 36) defeated the Phoenix Suns (39 - 41) 90 - 75 on Friday in New Orleans. It was n't pretty, but the Pelicans were still able to pull out a much - needed win as the regular season winds down. Anthony Davis left the game in the second quarter after suffering a throat contusion and missed nearly half the game before returning. Despite the injury, Davis was still able to post 19 points (7 - 12 FG, 5 - 11 FT), nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes. Omar Asik made up for the rebounding hole Davis left when he was out of the game, as he grabbed 18 rebounds in just 22 minutes, but only managed to score 3 points. Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans each shot 6 - of - 14 from the field and scored 15 and 14 points respectively. Dante Cunningham had a solid outing off the bench, shooting 6 - of - 8 from the field en route to 12 points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes. Norris Cole (12) was the only other New Orleans player to score in double figures. The victory keeps the Pelicans' playoff hopes alive, as they are currently tied for, and hold the tiebreaker over, the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Contrarily, the Phoenix Suns have been officially eliminated from playoff contention and do n't have much to play for as the regular season comes close to its end. Eric Bledsoe has had a rough final stretch of the season, but managed 19 points (7 - 19 FG, 2 - 6 3Pt) and seven assists in 39 minutes. Markieff Morris posted a double - double of 12 points (5 - 12 FG) and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes, while P.J. Tucker was the third and final Sun to score in double figures, scoring 12 points in 33 minutes. Up next, the Pelicans will travel to Houston for a tough matchup with the Rockets on Sunday, while Suns head to San Antonio Sunday to take on the Spurs.
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