Nuggets End Pelicans Win Streak, Davis Injures Groin

The Pelicans 4 game win streak came to a halt Wednesday night thanks to cold shooting and a feisty Denver Nuggets squad hungry for a victory.

Losers of 7 straight coming into New Orleans, the Nuggets were efficient from 3-point range (10-17), out shooting the Pelicans to steal a 93-85 victory.

"We just didn't shoot a good percentage," said New Orleans head coach Monty Williams. "They shot (great) from three point range."

New Orleans finished the night 32-82 (39%) from the field, and only 3-15 from three point range.

Point guard Tyreke Evans did his best to keep the Pelicans alive, scoring 15 of his 25 points in the third quarter, giving New Orleans a brief second half lead.

Superstar Anthony Davis finished with his 27th double-double of the season (24 points, 12 rebounds), but gave everyone a scare when he hit the floor, grimacing in pain in the third quarter after an on-court collision with Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried.

After being helped to the locker room, Davis was diagnosed with a groin injury, and actually returned to the floor in the 4th quarter.

"I just didn't feel good about him being on the floor," said Williams. "I just didn't like the way he looked."

Davis did look a step slower than normal after returning to the court, but was still efficient enough to help his team.

He is scheduled to have an MRI on his groin Thursday.

With less than 3 minutes to go, New Orleans trailed by only 1, but couldn't make a bucket in the final 2:58 seconds of play.

Denver guard Arron Afflalo hit four 3 pointers in the game, including one with 2:32 left in the 4th, giving the Nuggets a 4 point cushion.

"A few defensive miscues and we gave up some untimely 3s," explained Williams. "Our guys fought to get back into the game. Tyreke is sick. A.D. goes down and we had a lot of crazy lineups out there to try to manage minutes and we still had a chance to win."

Ultimately, the Pelicans couldn't get enough shots to fall. A cold start and cold finish doomed New Orleans' chances to winning their 5th straight.

With the loss, the Pelicans fall to 24-22, with some tough opponents on the horizon. Friday night, New Orleans hosts Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers (32-14). Monday, the Pelicans host the Atlanta Hawks (38-8), owners of a 17 game winning streak. Tip-off in both contests is set for 7:00.