NBA scores 2016: An aggressive Anthony Davis owned the Pacers in the 4th

Anthony Davis took 24 shots on Thursday. That’s a high number for a big man, but it’s a number he has to take. The more aggressive he is, the better the Pelicans are, and the opposite applies, as well.

The Pacers had no answer for an aggressive Davis in their 102-95 loss to New Orleans. The Brow torched Indiana for 35 points (11-for-24 shooting, 11-for-15 from the line) and 16 rebounds, while rejecting five shots in yet another showcasing of sheer dominance. If it weren’t for his Pelicans’ 9-18 record, his averages of 30.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game would warrant Most Valuable Player of the Year award consideration.

You knew what kind of game it was going to be on the first possession, when Jrue Holiday found his All-Star power forward for an early alley-oop. It was just one of many plays where Indiana couldn’t contain Davis’ offensive firepower.

The end wasn’t pretty. When Davis checked in with 6:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, his Pelicans trailed by three. He then missed two free throws, turned the ball over and missed a three-pointer.

But his teammates told him to stay aggressive, he said after the game, and he relentlessly attacked the bucket, forcing his way to the foul line. Davis scored 10 of New Orleans’ final 11 points and sparked a 15-0 run late in the fourth.

The Pelicans don’t look like they’re making the playoffs anytime soon. Barring an unforeseen swing, New Orleans will likely be drafting in the lottery this summer. But they won’t be fishing for a power forward. They’ve got one already, and once they put some solid pieces around A.D., the ship will be righted once again.

Thursday night was full of emotion. Players, coaches and reporters paid tribute to TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with leukemia, highlighted by a “moment of joy” led by Warriors coach Steve Kerr. There was also a lineup of five NBA games.

Here’s what you missed if you went to sleep early:

The Warriors are a selfless team; that goes without saying. But against the Knicks, who were short-handed both Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony, Golden State was fishing for assists.

Seven players finished with three or more assists and the Warriors racked up 41 dimes, led by eight from both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant and seven from Draymond Green. And a good amount of those assists were passes to JaVale McGee, which we’ll touch on later.

Hield’s a rookie, so a career-high only means its his best game this season. But the ex-Oklahoma Sooner showed why New Orleans drafted him sixth overall over the summer, drilling five threes in the Pelicans’ win over the Pacers.

Hield is averaging a modest 8.1 points per game, but he’s posted three games with 15 or more points this month. He’s also shooting 47.3 percent from downtown in December, a hike up from his 31.6 percent clip on the season.

Myles Turner has continued the progression from his rookie season. He led Indiana with 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting, including a sweet fake-out of Anthony Davis that he finished with a slam. Take a look at some of his highlights against Davis and the Pelicans.

Turner is averaging 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. It’s about time he put the league on notice.

JaVale McGee’s 17 points against the Knicks was the most he’s scored since March of 2013 when he was a member of the Denver Nuggets. Let that stink in.

McGee was doing things like this...

And this...

Don’t forget this...

McGee went on to make eight of his 10 shot attempts in just his second start of the season. And if he’s playing like this as a starter, the Warriors might have to make that his full-time gig.

San Antonio suffered its first road loss on Dec. 8 against the Bulls. The Spurs responded by rattling off two more away wins.

Gregg Popovich’s team is now 14-1 on the road, tied for the best away start in NBA history. But their next away opponent is the Houston Rockets on Dec. 20. It won’t be easy, but San Antonio could do something no team in basketball history has done.

They’ll just need to stop James Harden to get there.

Davis was unstoppable while leading his Pelicans to a win over Indiana. If only New Orleans could get him some help.

The Nuggets plastered a reeling Trail Blazers team behind Gallinari’s 27 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Gary Harris also scored 18 points, and Jameer Nelson and Will Barton combined for 30 points off the bench. Denver (10-16) is slowly creeping closer to .500.

A losing effort, but Lillard caused the Nuggets defense fits all night long. Portland (13-15) is eighth in the West and if they don’t fix their issues, the Trail Blazers could be fighting the keep their playoff standing.

Antetokounmpo looks better with every game. The Greek Freak powered his Bucks to a solid win over a veteran Miami Heat team. Between Giannis and Jabari Parker, Milwaukee has a core to build around for years to come.

Thompson was the beneficiary of some pinpoint Warriors ball movement on Thursday. His 25 points led Golden State as it rattled off its 23rd win of the season.

Bucks 108, Bulls 97 [Brew Hoop recap | Blog a Bull recap]

Pelicans 102, Pacers 95 [The Bird Writes recap | Indy Cornrows recap]

Spurs 107, Suns 92 [Pounding the Rock recap | Bright Side of the Sun recap]

Nuggets 132, Trail Blazers 120 [Denver Stiffs recap | Blazer’s Edge recap]

Warriors 101, Knicks 90 [Golden State of Mind recap | Posting and Toasting recap]