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Davis' dunks aplenty lead Pelicans past 76ers, 99-74

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Anthony Davis stood at the top of the key, pumping his fist and letting out a roar.

His adrenaline-infused reaction was inspired not by one of his five thunderous dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the way Omer Asik converted Davis' crisp pass under the basket into a layup as he was fouled.

"Everybody's having fun, moving the ball. It doesn't matter who scores," Davis said. "Everybody's playing together. Everybody's playing hard and that's all that the coaches ask for."

Davis had 32 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots, and New Orleans stretched its season-long winning streak to four games with a 99-74 victory over the Sixers on Monday night.

Ryan Anderson scored 19 points and Eric Gordon added 13 for New Orleans, while Tyreke Evans tied a season high in assists - set one night earlier - with 12.

"As long as were winning the game and everybody is having fun, it doesn't matter to me," Evans said of his statistical line, which included a below-average six points. "I could have easily penetrated and got to the rim, but I'd seen guys open and I was looking to find guys."

K.J. McDaniels scored 16 points for the 76ers, who lost their sixth straight. Henry Sims and Luc Mbah a Moute each scored 14 points.

Philadelphia played without Michael Carter-Williams, who was sidelined by an upper respiratory infection.

Nerlens Noel, who was matched up with Davis, said he may have been over-hyped for the game. He finished with two points on 1-for-9 shooting to go with two blocks and six rebounds.

"I probably should have slowed my mind down. I was thinking about the game too much," Noel said. "I need to have the mindset of playing within myself. ... I should have found better ways to get myself going during the game."

Davis was 12-of-19 shooting, including five layups and five crowd-pleasing dunks, and made all eight of his free throws as New Orleans (24-21) moved three games above .500 for the first time since coach Monty Williams' first season in 2010-11.

"He is a stud," Sixers coach Brett Brown said of Davis. "Monty has done an excellent job of featuring him ... and their players complement him."

Davis had his second 13-point quarter of the game in the third period, and his last two free throws gave New Orleans its largest lead at 85-60. Davis and the rest of New Orleans' starters, including Gordon and Evans, did not play in the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans outshot the Sixers 45.3 percent (39 of 86) to 34.6 percent (28 of 81) and outrebounded Philadelphia 52-38.

Half of Davis' rebounds came on the offensive end, several leading to putbacks. He also had three steals and three assists while not turning the ball over once.

Davis had 13 points in the first quarter, highlighted by an alley-oop jam in which he caught Evans' lob with his right hand while soaring toward the hoop and slammed it down in one well-timed motion over a defender cutting across his path.

His early surge helped the Pelicans race to a 31-19 lead.

The Sixers got as close as 34-33 while Davis rested, but the Pelicans gradually rebuilt their lead to 13 after Davis returned and led 52-43 at the break.

TIP-INS

76ers: The Sixers won the first of the two meetings the teams have this season on Jan. 16 in Philadelphia, 96-81. That was also the last time they won a game. ... Because of a major snow storm in the Northeast, the Sixers decided to spend Monday night in the Big Easy instead of flying out right after the game.

Pelicans: Asik finished with 10 points. ... New Orleans improved its home record to 15-5.

ABOVE THE RIM

Twice in the first half, Evans set up Davis for alley-oop dunks.

"I've got a good feel for A.D., I know what he likes to do," Evans said. "I'm comfortable playing with him and it's just fun out there when we're playing like that."

UP NEXT

76ers: Host Detroit on Wednesday.

Pelicans: Host Denver on Wednesday.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) block a shot by Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, center, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
Philadelphia 76ers guard K.J. McDaniels (14) slam dunks in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. The Pelicans won 99-74. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) tries to score between New Orleans Pelicans' Omer Asik (3) and guard Jason Richardson (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams calls out from the sideline in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) slips as he tries to drive to the basket between Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant, left, and guard K.J. McDaniels (14) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. The Pelicans won 99-74. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown reacts from the bench in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. The Pelicans won 99-74. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) is fouled as he drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. The Pelicans won 99-74. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press
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