Anthony Davis doubtful to return vs. Rockets after taking hit to head

After being unintentionally elbowed by his teammate Tyreke Evans on a rebound attempt with less than a minute to play in the first half of the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Houston Rockets on Monday. The Rockets scored 35 in the third quarter, going on an 18-0 run at one point, but the Pelicans never threw in the towel.

Ariza had a season-high 31 points and James Harden scored 35, leading the hot-shooting Houston Rockets past the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 112-111 on Monday night.

On the season, Davis is averaging 23.3 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Ryan Anderson scored 22 points (7-20 FG, 5-6 FT, 3-6 3Pt) to go along with nine rebounds and a block in 37 minutes during Monday’s 112-111 loss to the Rockets.

“While the final return-to participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician”, the regulations state, “the team physician must discuss the return-to-participation process and decision with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA’s Concussion Program, prior to the player being cleared for full participation in NBA Basketball”. But Patrick Beverley’s 3-pointer with 1:09 to play – off an assist from Harden – put Houston in front to stay 110-109, and Harden’s jumper with 34.2 seconds to play gave the Rockets a 112-109 cushion.

Pelicans: Forward Dante Cunningham returned after missing Saturday’s game against Milwaukee with a stomach illness but lost his spot in the starting lineup to Alonzo Gee.

“Obviously one of the keys coming into the game was transition, and out of the gate we let them do pretty much whatever they wanted to”, Holiday said. The game against the Pelicans was the first of a three-game road stretch. Houston has taken four of the last five against New Orleans.