Over the first 152 games of his Anthony Davis' NBA career, the 21-year-old compiled numerous dominant offensive performances, but his best occurred on Nov. 22, when he rang up a career-high 43 points at Utah. Davis' stellar and efficient game featured 16-for-23 shooting from the field, as well as 11-for-12 foul shooting.
The 6-foot-10 All-Star power forward gets a second crack at the Jazz this season on Tuesday in the Smoothie King Center, as the New Orleans Pelicans wrap up a three-game homestand. In the Nov. 22 game, New Orleans rode Davis' big night to a 106-94 victory. The visiting Pelicans were up 57-40 at halftime, before the Jazz surged back into it with a 32-20 third quarter. NOLA closed out the win with a 29-22 fourth quarter. In addition to Davis' 43 points, point guard Jrue Holiday added 19 points and nine assists. The Pelicans played without center Omer Asik, who was sidelined by injury.
Like New Orleans, Utah is one of the youngest teams in the Western Conference. The Jazz are building their future around 24-year-old wing Gordon Hayward and also have high hopes for an interior tandem of 22-year-old center Enes Kanter and 23-year-old forward Derrick Favors. Both players were lottery picks, with Favors coming to Utah as part of the Deron Williams trade to the Nets.
Hayward scored 31 points vs. New Orleans on Nov. 22, while second-year point guard Trey Burke added 20 on 8-for-12 shooting. Hayward is a versatile offensive threat, capable of sinking three-pointers but also a threat to drive to the basket. The Butler University product used the latter skill Nov. 22 to make 14 trips to the foul line against the Pelicans.
Intriguing matchup: Shooting guard, Tyreke Evans vs. Alec Burks
In indirect fashion, Burks is the reason Evans was moved to shooting guard from small forward last month. Burks collided with Eric Gordon during the Nov. 22 game in Utah, injuring Gordon's shoulder and removing Gordon from the lineup. The Pelicans did an excellent job defending Burks in the matchup, holding the Colorado product to two points on 1-for-11 shooting.