Bucks-Pelicans Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN

(AP) -- The New Orleans Pelicans failed to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race despite a historic stat line from Anthony Davis last time out.

He also filled the box score against the slumping Milwaukee Bucks last week.

The Pelicans look to bounce back with a 13th consecutive home victory over the struggling Bucks, who try to avoid a ninth straight road loss Tuesday night.

New Orleans (36-30) sits just behind Oklahoma City for eighth place in the West, and it wasted a chance to draw even with the Thunder in Sunday's 118-111 double-overtime loss to Denver.

The Pelicans fell to 9-3 in their last 12 despite 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and a career-high seven assists from Davis, the only such game of its kind since blocks were first officially recorded in 1973-74.

"It's a tough loss, especially in the position we're in," said Davis, averaging 30.8 points and 5.0 blocks in six games since returning from his latest shoulder injury. "We have to move on and get ready for our next game."

New Orleans could be looking forward to a visit from Milwaukee, which has dropped 12 consecutive road meetings in the series since winning 108-93 in its first visit Jan. 27, 2003. The Pelicans have also taken 15 of 17 matchups overall, including the last four by an average of 11.0 points.

Davis matched a career high with 43 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists in a 114-103 victory at Milwaukee last Monday. He finished 17 of 23 from the floor, raising his field-goal percentage to 64.7 in four games in the series.

"Anthony played great," Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams said of Davis, who's averaging 28.0 points versus Milwaukee for his highest mark against any team. "He's an All-Star and he showed that tonight. The next time we play him we have to do a better job on him if we want to win."

The Bucks (34-32) have managed 91.2 points per game in dropping nine of 12. They've been limited to an average of 87.6 points on 39.2 percent shooting in the last seven of a season-worst eight-game road skid.

Milwaukee is set to close a three-game trek after falling 96-83 at Memphis on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points as the Bucks shot 5 of 19 from beyond the arc.

"We are fighting," center Zaza Pachulia said. "Nobody is going to feel sorry about us."

Milwaukee opened the game on a 14-4 run, but it was outscored 56-41 in the second and third quarters. The Bucks have surrendered an average of 29.5 points in those periods in their last three defeats.

"The second and third quarters, we have been struggling a little bit defensively getting stops," coach Jason Kidd said. "Those have been our highest quarters giving up points."

Carter-Williams was a late scratch with a sore ankle, leaving his status for Tuesday unclear. He's averaging 14.9 points and 5.9 assists in nine games since coming over from Philadelphia before the deadline.

Forward Chris Johnson was signed to a second 10-day contract with O.J. Mayo (hamstring) and Jared Dudley (knee) also banged-up. However, Jerryd Bayless (ankle) could return after missing the last three games.

Khris Middleton has provided a boost with 20.9 points per game over the last seven, up from his season mark of 12.9. He's averaging 21.0 points on 57.1 percent from the field in his last two games against New Orleans.

Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 29 in last week's matchup, one of just five 20-point performances this season.