Celtics fall in OT to Anthony Davis, Pelicans 121-120


After blowing a 13-point 4th quarter lead, Anthony Davis and the Pelicans held on to beat the Celtics 121-120 in overtime at Smoothie King Center (yes, that is really the name of their building).  Davis set new career highs with 40 points and 21 rebounds, the first 40/20 game in Pelicans/Hornets franchise history.  He also blocked 3 shots and had 3 assists, while going 12-12 from the free throw line.

In a very tanking-esque maneuver, Boston managed to allow New Orleans to dribble out the clock in the game's final few seconds without committing a foul.

Jeff Green scored 38 in a losing effort for the Celtics, including 20 in the first half.

The Pelicans led 27-25 after one, but Boston used a 10-0 second quarter run, capped off with a Phil Pressey behind the back pass to Chris Johnson for a layup, to go up 45-38.  The Celtics scored 39 points in the period, and took a 64-57 advantage into halftime.  New Orleans held the C's to 20 points in the 3rd, and the game was tied 84-84 entering the 4th quarter.

Boston fell behind 102-89, but cut the lead to 1 with under a minute remaining.  Davis buried two clutch top of the key jumpers in the final minute (sandwiched around Jeff Green going 3-3 at the free throw line) to keep his team ahead, but Kris Humphries nailed a ridiculous fall-away shot from the corner as time expired, sending the game to overtime at 112-112.  Humphries finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Jared Sullinger missed a wide open three-pointer with 12 seconds left in OT that could have given the Celtics a 120-119 lead.

Avery Bradley scored 12 points in 28 minutes off the bench, but made a critical turnover late in regulation.  Trailing 108-107, Sullinger won a jump ball, but Bradley kicked it out of bounds while driving to the hoop with 13 seconds remaining.

It was the fourth straight loss for the Celtics, who are now 0-14 on the road vs the Western Conference this year.  They have just one more chance tomorrow night in Dallas to avoid going win-less out west this season.



Follow Mark Vandeusen on twitter @LucidSportsFan