NEW ORLEANS – Anthony Davis had 25 points, eight rebounds, a career-high six blocks and five assists to lead New Orleans to a 105-84 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night, its first win changing its nickname to Pelicans.
Tyreke Evans added 15 points, Jrue Holiday had 14 and Brian Roberts 13 for New Orleans (1-2), which made the name change from Hornets in the offseason.
Ramon Sessions had 22 points and Kemba Walker added 14 for Charlotte (1-2).
The Pelicans set a franchise record with 18 blocked shots. Jason Smith tied a career high with five.
Davis also set a career high with five steals.
.New Orleans led 56-41 at halftime and with a frontcourt led by Davis effectively closing off the middle to the Bobcats was never seriously threatened. The Bobcats trailed 77-62 at the end of three quarters but could come no closer than 14 points in the fourth.
A jumper by Gerald Henderson cut the Pelicans' lead to 83-69 but Roberts answered with a four-point play to give New Orleans an 87-69 lead with 8:12 left.
The Pelicans quickly overcame their shooting woes from Friday night's 20-point loss at Orlando in which New Orleans shot 34 percent.
Playing at home for the second time in three games, the Pelicans made their first three shots and scored on their first eight possessions, including one sequence in which they grabbed two offensive rebounds to extend the possession and take a 15-4 lead with 7:19 remaining in the first half.
The Pelicans led 33-15 after one quarter, nearly equaling their 36-point first half output against the Magic. New Orleans shot 50 percent from the field and held Charlotte to 6-of-20 shooting.
Evans' layup with 11:12 left in the second quarter gave the Pelicans a 37-15 lead, their largest of the half. Charlotte cut the halftime deficit to 56-41.
Davis scored 16 points the opening two quarters for the Pelicans, who were 18 of 41 from the field.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.