Evans scores 27 points, Pelicans beat Wizards 107-105
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Tyreke Evans was coming off a scoreless game, and his legs felt tired against the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
So he quit driving the basket and started posting up for long shots.
Evans made a career-high five 3-pointers and scored 27 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans over the Wizards 107-105 and end a seven-game losing streak against Washington.
''Me and coach Fred (Vinson) was putting up shots (Thursday) at practice and talked about their guards and just shooting the same way,'' said Evans, playing in just his fifth game back with the Pelicans after knee surgery in October. ''I just tried to find a way to keep my legs under me and gut it out for my teammates.
''Guys were helping out a lot on (Anthony Davis), so the kick-back was there. We're going on this road trip, so getting this one at home was important.''
The Wizards led 97-90 in the fourth quarter, but Evans tied it at 98 with a 3 with 4:13 left. Anthony Davis tied it again at 103 with a 3 with 2:34 left.
''When we have ball movement, we make shots,'' said guard Eric Gordon, who scored 15 points and made three 3-pointers.
Davis, facing double-teams all game, had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
With the Wizards going with smaller, quicker lineups, New Orleans outrebounded them 41-33 while also hitting 16 of 27 from beyond the arc.
''We have to find a way to stop teams from making so many 3-pointers,'' said Washington's Garrett Temple, who started in place of injured Bradley Beal. ''It wasn't Davis opening up 3s for them as much as it was individual defense.''
Davis made a free throw with 1:47 remaining for New Orleans' first lead of the fourth quarter. Eric Gordon hit two free throws with 18 seconds left and Evans made 1 of 2 with 4.7 seconds remaining. The Wizards' Gary Neal missed a 19-foot jumper at the buzzer.
The Pelicans hadn't beaten Washington since Feb. 1, 2011.
John Wall led Washington with 26 points.
Evans made his free throw after Jrue Holiday outleaped Wizards forward Jared Dudley in a jump-ball situation with 6.4 seconds left. Holiday had turned the ball over moments earlier while leading 106-105.
The teams went into the fourth tied at 77 after a third quarter in which there was seven lead changes in the first 5:32. The Pelicans led 77-73 after a 3-pointer by Holiday, but Marcin Gortat made a jumper and Ramon Session drove for a basket with 8.5 seconds left.
Holiday's 45-footer at the buzzer of the first quarter put the Pelicans up 29-27. The first quarter featured seven lead changes, including six in the final 2:04.
TIP-INS: The Wizards shot 56.8 percent. ... The Pelicans begin a nine-day, five-game trip that is their longest of the season on Saturday. ... As a starter this season, Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.5 turnovers. As a reserve, he is averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 turnovers.
ON THE ROAD
Washington came into the game with a 5-4 road record, all against Eastern Conference teams.
This game began a four-game trip against Western teams, including a game Saturday at Dallas.
''We are a confident road team and have played well on the road this season,'' coach Randy Wittman said.
BIG PERK RETURNS
Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins returned to play after being out since Oct. 31 with a pectoral injury. Perkins said he'd been eager to play for a while.
''It's good to have a jersey on (for a game),'' he said. ''I was running out of suits. ... About two weeks ago, really, is when I started jumping in and out of practice and getting physical contact, and I was like `I feel I can play right now.' I feel I'm ready, I don't feel any discomfort, so I want to just see how it is.''
Small forward Quincy Pondexter, who had offseason knee surgery, is the only Pelican out injured.
ONE IN, ONE OUT
Pelicans sixth man Ryan Anderson was sidelined with flu-like symptoms. Coach Alvin Gentry said it was more of a precautionary measure.
UP NEXT:
Pelicans at Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Wizards at Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.
