Davis, Pelicans hold off Doncic-led Mavs 114-112

Anthony Davis hit a go-ahead, fall-away jumper with 43.9 seconds left and scored a season-high 48 points to outduel rookie Luka Doncic and lift the New Orleans Pelicans over the Dallas Mavericks 114-112 on Friday night.

Davis was fouled on the shot and made the free throw for a two-point lead. Dallas got two more possessions, but Doncic had a layup blocked by Jrue Holiday, Dennis Smith Jr. missed a 3-pointer and the Mavericks couldn't get off a shot on a final possession with four seconds left.

Davis also grabbed 17 rebounds and New Orleans snapped a five-game skid. The Pelicans dominated in the paint, scoring 70 points, including 22 from Julius Randle.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over Dallas Mavericks forwards Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and Dirk Nowitzki during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert)

Doncic scored 34 points and hit 7 of 10 3-pointers, and Harrison Barnes had 21 points.

Dallas set up for its final possession with Smith inbounding the ball. Smith got it back and drove into the lane against Davis, but his scoop shot did not beat the buzzer and fell off the rim anyway.

The Mavericks outscored the Pelicans from long range in the first half, cruising to a 66-55 lead by making 10 of 19 3-pointers while holding New Orleans to just 1 of 13 from behind the arc.

Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks in front of New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert)

Davis kept the Pelicans in the game with 22 first-half points on 9-of-15 shooting. Holiday had 14 first-half points, but seven of the Pelicans' other nine players had two or fewer points.

New Orleans chipped away, outscoring Dallas 31-22 in the third quarter to pull within 88-86.

The Pelicans took their first lead since late in the first quarter on Frank Jackson's 3-pointer from the right baseline, which put them up 99-96 with 7:43 left. J.J. Barea answered with a 3-pointer a few seconds later for Dallas.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis looks to pass the ball past Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert)

Davis made a 15-foot fadeaway over Jordan to tie it at 105 with 3:59 left, and his floating right-hand hook and 18-foot jumper on two of the Pelicans' next three possessions gave New Orleans a 111-109 lead.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Smith returned after missing 11 games with a right wrist sprain. It was his first start since Dec. 13. ... The Mavs are in a stretch in which they will play 14 games in 25 days in four time zones.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots as Dallas Mavericks forwards Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and Harrison Barnes (40) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert)

Pelicans: New Orleans inserted F Darius Miller into the starting lineup for perimeter shooting help. Miller missed two shots in 10 minutes and have any points. ... In games decided by five or fewer points, the Pelicans have lost seven of their last eight.

UP NEXT:

Mavericks: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert)

Pelicans: Host Houston on Saturday night, the second game of a three-game homestand.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — The big surprise of the World Cup slalom season scored his second win Sunday adding to his fast-rising reputation before the Winter Olympics.

Paco Rassat raced to the fastest time in the second run to rise from fourth place, and edge United States-born Atle Lie McGrath by 0.18 seconds.

First-run leader Henrik Kristoffersen dropped to third, trailing 0.20 behind Rassat.

The 27-year-old Frenchman had a career-best result of ninth in World Cup races before this Olympic season started.

Rassat now has two wins, a third place and two sixth places this season and shapes as a medal contender for the Milano Cortina Olympics. The men’s slalom is on Feb. 16 at Bormio.

Rassat also took the lead in the seasonlong World Cup slalom standings, ahead of his France teammate Clément Noël, the defending Olympic champion. Noël tied for eighth Sunday.

AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath reacts at the finish line during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen reacts at the finish line during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

France's Paco Rassat speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

France's Paco Rassat reacts at the finish line during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Finland's Eduard Hallberg speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen ahead of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)