Anthony Davis set a franchise record with his 8th straight game of 28+ points, leading the New Orleans Pelicans (29-40) past LeBron James and the Miami Heat (47-21) by the score of 105-95.

Davis finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block, registering his 34th double-double of the season. He also set a new franchise record of consecutive games (3) with 30+ points and 10+ rebounds. In doing so, he led the Pelicans to an upset victory over the two-time defending champions. As far as Davis is concerned, defeating the Heat is no big deal.

“Every win is a good win for us,” Davis explained. “There’s no big win. We treat every game like it’s a regular game. This wasn’t like, ‘Oh my god, it’s Miami, so we have to do things different.’ It was another game on a Saturday night.”

LeBron James was solid, putting up an impressive stat line (25 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds), but couldn't out do Davis on Saturday night. The two players, who won a gold medal together at the 2012 Olympic games, hugged it out after the game, with James congratulating the 21-year old All-Star who continues to reach new heights with each game.

Miami was without Dwyane Wade (rest), while New Orleans didn't have Eric Gordon (knee). Despite the absence, plenty of Pelicans stepped up in the victory.

Tyreke Evans scored 16 and dished out 8 assists. Al-Farouq Aminu added 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Luke Babbitt scored 11 in his first start of the season.

Babbitt paced the Pelicans from beyond the arc, hitting 3 three-pointers. New Orleans was 7-17 from three-point range, and terrific from inside the arc as well (43-84). They forced 16 Miami turnovers, and out rebounded the Heat 38-33.

While a victory over the Heat is impressive, the main Pelicans storyline continues to be Anthony Davis. The second-year pro has been playing at an elite level. With only 13 games left in the regular season, basketball fans should follow Davis closely. James and the Heat are the present, but Davis and the Pelicans could be the future...and Saturday night he gave the sold-out crowd at Smoothie King Center a glimpse into it.

 

More From 103.3 The GOAT