National Basketball Association

Davis powers Pelicans past Hornets with 24 points, 13 rebounds

Published Nov. 5, 2014 12:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Anthony Davis heard the chants of ''MVP! MVP!'' in the fourth quarter, and it caught him off guard once again.

It looks as if he better get used to that familiar cheer.

Davis had 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Charlotte Hornets 100-91 on Tuesday night.

For the second time in three home games, Davis was saluted with the MVP chant from the crowd. He has double-doubles in three of the Pelicans' four games this season.

''It's crazy because I watched when I was younger . I watched LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant), (Kevin Durant), all them guys, and you could hear through the TV the chanting,'' the 21-year-old Davis said. ''And then you're actually at the line, they're cheering for me.''

Tyreke Evans added 16 points and 10 rebounds in New Orleans' first victory since its season opener. Ryan Anderson scored 16 points and Austin Rivers had 12, helping the Pelicans bounce back from Monday night's 93-81 loss at Memphis.

The Pelicans (2-2) shot 46 percent and outscored Charlotte by 10 points in the second half when they turned the ball over just three times.

Charlotte (1-3) played without starting forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who bruised his ribs in a 96-93 loss at New York on Sunday. Al Jefferson led the Hornets with 20 points.

''We didn't keep playing, keep competing for every possession,'' Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. ''We had stretches of the game where we played well, but just basic stuff, not running back, not getting our defense set and blown coverages. Those things are on me.''

Davis had six points and six rebounds in the first half, but he picked up his play after the break. He scored 12 points in the third and also helped the Pelicans hold the Hornets to just six baskets in the quarter.

''I thought he wasn't getting the ball where he wanted to consistently, but then he started knocking down jump shots,'' Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. ''That opens up everything for him. He kind of looked like he did with the national team, where he was hitting every jump shot that came his way.''

Tuesday marked the first time Charlotte returned to New Orleans as the Hornets after reclaiming the mascot. Charlotte moved to New Orleans in 2002 as the Hornets, but was able to get the name back after New Orleans changed to the Pelicans.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: New Orleans went 19 for 19 for its first perfect performance from the free-throw line since March 12. ... The Pelicans were without three players, including John Salmons, who is awaiting the birth of his third child.

Hornets: Charlotte has lost three consecutive games after winning its season opener.

SLOW START

New Orleans guard Eric Gordon is off to a rough start. He was 0 for 6 from the field against the Hornets, dropping to 7 of 34 for the season. He also has 10 turnovers and just three assists.