Pelicans 88: Pistons 85: Anthony Davis returned from a five-game layoff to post 39 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks as New Orleans tied a season high with its fourth straight home victory.

Davis shot 17-of-30, including two late jumpers, and added three steals and Tyreke Evans added 21 points and nine assists for the Pelicans, who went 4-1 while Davis rested an injured shoulder. Alexis Ajinca had 10 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, which remained one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eighth playoff spot in the West.

Jodie Meeks scored 20 points off the bench for the Pistons, who dropped their fourth straight game. Andre Drummond had 13 points and 18 rebounds and Greg Monroe added 13 points and 15 rebounds for Detroit, which was playing the first of seven games in 11 days with six on the road.

Reggie Jackson scored six quick points to help turn an eight-point Pistons' deficit into an 81-81 tie with 1:24 left, but Davis hit a jumper from the right wing and Evans overpowered Jackson down the right lane for an 85-81 lead with 41.4 seconds left. Monroe scored inside, but Davis drained another perimeter jumper with 17.9 ticks left and Evans split two free throws before Davis altered Jackson's last-second 3-pointer as the Pelicans won their sixth straight in the series.

Jackson had six points and five assists and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added eight points - three dunks - as Detroit jumped to a 22-10 lead, but New Orleans responded with a 15-0 run soon after as Evans and Davis combined for 11 points. The Pistons led 46-42 at the half, but Davis scored 12 points in the third to provide New Orleans a 66-63 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Davis scored 14 consecutive points for the Pelicans bridging the second and third quarters and had 25 of the first 48 points for New Orleans. … Davis took over the franchise lead in career blocks with 437 - two more than David West. … Meeks scored 14 points in a 6 1/2-minute span of the second quarter.