Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans | Highlights & Recap

Anthony Davis figures the Milwaukee Bucks have given him a better feel for how tough the playoffs will be - if he can succeed in leading the Pelicans to the postseason for the first time in his young career.

Running into big bodies and long arms everywhere he turned, Davis missed 12 of 18 shots, but still managed to score 20 points and grab 12 rebounds, and New Orleans held off the Bucks, 85-84 on Tuesday night. Quincy Pondexter hit five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points for New Orleans, while Omer Asik had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Ilyasova and Giannis Antetokounmpo each scored 15 for Milwaukee, while Jerryd Bayless and John Henson each scored 14. Milwaukee shot 37.2 percent (32 of 86). New Orleans was an even-worse 34.9 percent (29 of 83), but made eight 3s to Milwaukee's four and outscored the Bucks 19-16 on free throws.

Davis, who shoots around 55 percent, made up for his off night from the field by hitting 8 of 9 free throws and getting a clutch 15-footer to fall with 1:07 left, putting New Orleans up 85-82.

The lead held up by the narrowest of margins when Ersan Ilyasova's 3-point attempt at the final horn rattled off the inside of the rim twice before bouncing out - much to the relief of the Pelicans, who moved back into the Western Conference's final playoff spot with the victory.