Pelicans 85, Bucks 84: Anthony Davis collected 20 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks as New Orleans survived a scare from visiting Milwaukee.

Quincy Pondexter scored 18 points and Omer Asik added 16 points and 11 boards for the Pelicans, who moved into a tie for eighth place in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tyreke Evans recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as New Orleans overcame a 4-of-20 effort from the field in the fourth quarter.

Ersan Ilyasova had 15 points and eight rebounds but had a wide-open 3-point attempt at the buzzer rim out as the Bucks dropped their ninth straight road game. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 15 points and nine boards while John Henson and Jerryd Bayless scored 14 points apiece off the bench for Milwaukee.

The Pelicans took an eight-point lead into the fourth but could not put the Bucks away, and Milwaukee knotted it at 80 on Ilyasova’s tip with 2:16 to play. Eric Gordon knocked down a 3-pointer to give New Orleans its third field goal of the quarter and an 83-80 lead with 1:55 to play and Davis added a jumper to provide just enough cushion.

Gordon and Pondexter each hit 3-pointers as the Pelicans scored the game’s first 15 points before setting for a 32-21 lead heading to the second quarter. The Bucks scored the first eight points of the second and finally knotted it at 35 before skipping ahead and taking a 44-42 lead into the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Asik’s double-double marked his season-high third straight. … Davis landed awkwardly early in the fourth quarter and left the game briefly while trainers helped him stretch and loosen up before reentering the game with 7:16 left. … Bayless (ankle) added eight rebounds in his return from a three-game absence.