NBA Wrap: Pelicans defeat Cavaliers in thriller, Rockets look to be back on track

LeBRON James flirted with a comeback but the Pelicans managed the overtime win over the Cavaliers. A recap of the day’s action is in the NBA Wrap.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) leaps for the opening tipoff against Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LeBRON James flirted with a comeback but the Anthony Davis and the Pelicans managed to complete the overtime win over the Cavaliers.

A recap of the day’s action is in the NBA Wrap.

AUSSIES IN ACTION

Australian college star Ben Simmons made an appearance during today’s NBA action, taking in the Pelicans’ win over the Cavaliers.

Simmons was interviewed in the middle of the fourth quarter, speaking about his relationship with LeBron James, and what aspects of his game are taken from the Cavalier.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, and I just try to take little parts of his game and put it into mine,” Simmons said.

“His size is one of the things I look at. I’m 6’10, and he’s about 6’8 or 6’9 so I try to fit what he does into my game.”

“He’s like a big brother to me, he gives me a lot of advice when I need it. he looks out for me, and he’s one of those people who you have to have as a mentor because he’s one of the best players in the world I respect him so much.”

It's never too early to scout, Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/VAib0udMzE

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 5, 2015

Matthew Dellavedova got the start for the Cleveland Cavaliers, posting eight points, 2 rebounds and four assists in their 114-108 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dear Matthew Dellavedova,Few people will go up only to get wrecked by Anthony Davis.You are an animal.Sincerely,Cavs Nation

— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationNet) December 5, 2015

Kendrick Perkins visited #Cavs on court. He yelled at Matthew Dellavedova, "You lucky I ain't playing. I'd hit you with a hard-ass screen."

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 5, 2015

Aron Baynes was held scoreless in the Detroit Pistons’ 102-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, but managed to pull down one rebound and dish out one assist.

NEW YORK KNICKS 108 — BROOKLYN NETS 91

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points, Kristaps Porzingis had 19 as the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 108-91 on Friday night to get back to .500.

Arron Afflalo added 18 points for the Knicks (10-10), who dominated lowly Philadelphia and Brooklyn in their last two games after a four-game losing streak. They reclaimed city bragging rights with ease, leading by as much as 31 points.

Brook Lopez scored 21 points, and Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets. They had won two in a row and have a lot to fix before they host the unbeaten Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

Lopez beat twin brother Robin to take the opening tip, and it was soon clear that was all the Nets would be winning. The Knicks blitzed them with a season-best 42 points in the first quarter, led 65-42 at halftime and opened their first lead of 30 or more since the 2013-14 season in the third period.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS 109 — PHOENIX SUNS 106

Bradley Beal scored 34 points and Ramon Sessions added 18 as Washington rallied to beat Phoenix in a turnover-filled game.

Washington improved to 8-9 after losing five of its previous six games.

Eric Bledsoe scored 22 points, and Brandon Knight had 19 for the Suns. They’re 1-3 on a six-game trip.

The teams combined for 46 turnovers.

DETROIT PISTONS 102 — MILWAUKEE BUCKS 95

Andre Drummond had 17 points and 23 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson scored 23 points as Detroit beat Milwaukee.

Drummond was 7 for 18 from the field and 3 for 10 at the line. It was his fifth 20-rebound game of the season; the rest of the NBA has combined for only three.

Detroit’s Greg Monroe had 14 points and 13 rebounds against his former team. Another ex-Piston, Khris Middleton, led the Bucks with 21 points.

ATLANTA HAWKS 100 — LOS ANGELES LAKERS 87

Al Horford scored 16 points, Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore each added 15 as the Hawks beat Los Angeles to spoil Kobe Bryant’s last game in Atlanta.

In the third game since announcing his retirement plans earlier this week, Bryant scored 14 points on 4-for-19 shooting. Lou Williams topped the struggling Lakers with 18 points.

Bryant showed a few flashes of his once-dominant skills, holding up three fingers on each hand after hitting consecutive 3-pointers to bring the loudest cheers of the night from the capacity Philips Arena crowd midway through the third.

DALLAS MAVERICKS 96 — HOUSTON ROCKETS 100

James Harden scored 25 points after another rough shooting start against Dallas, and the Houston Rockets beat the Mavericks 100-96 Friday night.

Harden, who missed his first 11 shots in a home loss to Dallas last month, was 3 of 12 in the first half before making seven of 11. That included a clinching jumper that hit the rim and backboard before bouncing on the rim a couple more times and going in for a four-point lead with 7 seconds left.

The All-Star guard also had nine assists, including one to Terrence Jones for a wide-open dunk that put Houston ahead for good at 98-96 in the final minute.

Deron Williams had 22 points and six assists to lead the Mavericks.

James Harden of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 114 — CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 108

Anthony Davis had 31 points, 12 rebounds and four steals, and the New Orleans Pelicans survived a stunning fourth-quarter surge by LeBron James to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-108 in overtime on Friday night.

Davis scored six points in the extra period on three jumpers from beyond 12 feet to help the Pelicans (5-15) pull out a much-needed victory. Eric Gordon had 19 points and Ryan Anderson 18 for the Pelicans, who led by 13 with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Cavs stormed back to take a late lead, with James scoring 21 of Cleveland’s last 24 points of regulation.

Jrue Holiday’s 3 pulled New Orleans back into a tie at 105 with 8 seconds left before James, who finished with 37 points, missed a 19-footer that could have won it. James didn’t score in overtime, missing two shots.

Originally published as NBA Wrap: Pelicans defeat Cavaliers in thriller, Rockets look to be back on track