Pelicans end Hawks' 19-game winning streak

En route to playing themselves into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, the Pelicans have had numerous statement wins, beating nearly all of the West’s top teams. On Monday, they delivered perhaps their most emphatic statement of 2014-15, knocking off an opponent that was riding a 19-game winning streak.

New Orleans led nearly wire-to-wire in handing Atlanta its first defeat since Dec. 26, a victory that also improved the Pelicans to 17-6 at home this season. They are 4-1 on their current six-game homestand, which concludes Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City.

In his return from a one-game injury absence, Anthony Davis was dominant, overwhelming Atlanta around the rim to throw down four dunks among his 12 field goals.

The Pelicans also received a double-double from Tyreke Evans (15 points, 12 assists) and a near-double-double from Omer Asik (nine points, 17 rebounds).

Ryan Anderson drained a jumper from the left wing, giving New Orleans a 107-88 lead with 3:30 remaining.

The Pelicans led virtually the entire game, with the Hawks only briefly grabbing a two-point edge in the first quarter.

New Orleans was up by 13 at halftime and 14 through three quarters. The hosts’ biggest advantage was 19.