Pelicans edge Warriors, leapfrog Thunder for 8th

If the New Orleans Pelicans are playing playoff basketball next weekend, they can look back at Tuesday's thrilling victory over the league-leading Golden State Warriors as a reason why.

In a game that saw the Warriors field their full lineup and build a 14-point second-quarter lead, Anthony Davis and the Pelicans rallied for one of their biggest wins of the season in a potential first round preview.

Davis finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals, and converted a clutch and-1 opportunity that appeared to be the potential dagger late in the fourth quarter.

Stephen Curry answered for the Warriors in a battle of MVP candidates, finishing with 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and this heart-stopping three to tie the game with 35 seconds remaining.

The Pelicans responded by nearly turning the ball over on the ensuing possession, with a mad scramble resulting in Andre Iguodala and Tyreke Evans diving for a loose ball that ended up in the first row.

A video review confirmed that the ball was touched last by Iguodala, and Evans drew a foul on the following play to put the Pelicans up one after splitting a pair of free throws.

Curry missed a floater and another potential game-tying 3-pointer on the other end, while Davis added a pair of free throws in between.

With the victory, New Orleans leapfrogged Oklahoma City for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot, moving a half-game ahead of the Thunder, who were blown out by the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Quincy Pondexter added a surprising 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting for the Pelicans.

Draymond Green poured in 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for the Warriors, while Andrew Bogut recorded a career-high nine blocks to go with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Despite the loss, Golden State remains only a win or an Atlanta loss away from clinching the NBA's No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.