Oklahoma City Thunder's dynamic All-Star tandem of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, scored a combined 76 points in their game against the New Orleans Pelicans, but that it was not enough to wrap the victory as the eleventh ranked western team found refuge in its reserves. The Pelicans got the better of the Western Conference third-best team with a 123-119 triumph on Thursday night in front of the Smoothie King Center crowd.

Like Us on Facebook

New Orleans' 2012 NBA draft No. 1 pick Anthony Davis finished the game with a team-high 30 points, but he got all the support he needed from the team's bench, who scored a total of 60 points to lead the Pelicans to their win number 23 in 57 games played this season.

Reserve forward Ryan Anderson and Toney Douglas chipped in 26 points and 12 points respectively, while Jrue Holiday contributed 22 points and nine assists in 25.45 minutes of playing time for the New Orleans. Pelican starters Norris Cole and Dante Cunningham scored 21 and 10 points respectively.

"It's fun; everybody's involved and we're moving the ball, finding the open man, so it's just a different vibe when we play like that," Anderson said. "Jrue's playing really, really well. He helps me and I think we just have good chemistry coming off the bench."

The Pelicans got the upper hand when Anderson hit a trey in the fourth quarter with over three minutes left to play that gave New Orleans a 12-point lead 117-105. However, the Thunder did not simply bow down, but instead put on a late push led by Westbrook and Durant to cut the deficit to just a basket 121-119 with 12.7 second left in the game clock.

Holiday was fouled and converted two charity shots from the foul line to give the Pelican a safe four-point lead 123-119.

Westbrook and Durant led the Thunder with 44 points and 32 points respectively, while Serge Ibaka added 15 points.

TagsNBA, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder