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NEW ORLEANS -- As Anthony Davis trotted off the court and toward the locker room, fans gathered near the tunnel offered one more round of applause, some of them shouting their congratulations to Davis for receiving his first All-Star game nod. The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. "Its great, man" Davis said. "Weve got to keep pushing. You cant get too happy -- but at the same time, youve got to enjoy it." Davis, who leads the NBA with an average of more than 3 blocks per game, is also making 20-point, 10-rebound outings look routine lately. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have won six of eight games despite being without two key players -- forward Ryan Anderson (herniated disk) and point guard Jure Holiday (fractured shin). "Were fighting," Davis said. "Were grinding each and every night and coming up with big-time wins." Davis narrowly missed being picked by coaches as a Western Conference All-Star reserve, but when Kobe Bryant was unable to play in the game because of his injured left knee, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver chose Davis as Bryants replacement. Then Davis turned in his 17th 20-point, 10-rebound game of the season before a national TV audience, replete with highlight-worthy alley-oop and putback dunks. In the pivotal fourth quarter, he grabbed seven rebounds and had his only blocked shot. "Its a great way to cap a day off, to be selected (as an All-star) early in the afternoon and then to play like that on national TV in front of the world," Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. "Its pretty cool. Its a lot for a 20 year old who is just scratching the surface on what he can do." Eric Gordon scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half on an array of jumpers and explosive drives to help fuel New Orleans comeback. "I got up more shots in the second half," Gordon said. "Im always going to shoot a decent field goal percentage. The more shots I get up, the easier it is for me." Brian Roberts added 16 points, including a 22-foot pullup jumper to make it 96-91 with 22 seconds left, and the Pelicans made 13 of 20 shots in the fourth quarter, outscoring Minnesota 37-20 in the period. Kevin Love, returning from a one-game absence caused by neck stiffness, had 26 points and 19 rebounds for Minnesota. Corey Brewer added 16 points and Kevin Martin 15. Loves inside presence helped Minnesota build the largest lead of the game, at 12, in the third quarter. Love outrebounded the Pelicans as a team 8-5 and had nine points in the period, seven at the free throw line. His free throws in the final minute of the quarter made it 71-59 before Austin Rivers 11-foot floater pulled the Pelicans back to 10 points heading into the final period. "It was tough because I just came off of playing a number of physical games and I had been taking a beating. Im just trying to give this team all that I can," Love said. "But in the end, it wasnt enough." New Orleans still trailed by nine when J.J. Bareas fast-break layup made it 75-66. The play had Williams muttering to himself in disgust as he called timeout, and New Orleans responded. Gordons 18-foot pull-up jumper and a pair of 3s by Anthony Morrow fueled a 12-2 run. Gordon capped the surge with an explosive dribble drive past Brewer for a two-handed dunk. New Orleans gradually built its lead to seven. Ricky Rubio, who had 11 points, briefly cut it to 89-85 with a 3, but Morrows third 3 on as many attempts made it 92-85 and Minnesota did not get closer than three points after that. "Our decision making offensively wasnt very good," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "I dont think we played well together. Everyone was trying to do it for themselves. ... We have to find a way to trust each other better than that." NOTES: Love was 14 for 17 from the free throw line. ... F Luke Babbitt made his debut for the Pelicans in the second quarter and hit a 3 soon after checking in and finished with five points in 19:29, including a clutch tip-in of Davis miss late in the fourth quarter. JaVale McGee Jersey . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Malik Beasley Nuggets Jersey . The photograph shows Parker and a French comedian making a gesture known in France as a "quenelle," which critics describe as inverted Nazi salute. Parker said in a statement released through the Spurs that the photograph was taken three years ago. Parker, who was born in Belgium but raised in France, said he didnt know at the time that "it could be in any way offensive or harmful. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Dikembe-Mutombo-Nuggets-Jersey/ . Noah finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. He was headed for his fourth triple-double of the season, but sat down with about three minutes left because of the lopsided score. Kirk Hinrich scored 19 points for Chicago, going 5 for 6 on 3-pointers, Carlos Boozer added 18 points, D. Alonzo Gee Nuggets Jersey . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline. Danilo Gallinari Nuggets Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday.ST. LOUIS - Sam Bradford said rehab from knee surgery has been an easier process the second time around.The St. Louis Rams quarterback has been running for a few weeks, increasing the workload in the weight room, too.Although he wasnt certain of a timetable for his return, he feels like hes kind of turned the corner.Bradford also understands the business side, and the uncertainty about a player who has made 49 starts and missed 31 games.Coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday the Rams (6-10) would look to add a quarterback in free agency or the draft, and if Bradfords back hed have to have his contract re-worked and then win the job.After declining to go into specifics, Fisher added, I think it would make sense that both sides need to get together and work something out.Bradford, enthusiastic and engaging, spent time at the podium just ahead of Fishers news conference. He wouldnt mind if the team took a quarterback early in the draft.I would accept it, he said. I feel like every time I step on the field, its a competition. If they feel like thats in the best interest of the team, then I would support it and I would embrace the competition.Both sides said there have been no discussions about re-working the contract. Bradford is heading into the final year of a six-year, $78 million deal and set to make a base salary of nearly $13 million, and his cap number is $16.58 million for next season.Bradford missed the entire season after reinjuring his surgically repaired left knee in the third week of the preseason. He missed the last nine games in 2013 after injuring the knee for the first time and missed six games with a high ankle sprain in 2011.The Rams havent finished .500 since 2006 and havent had a winning record since 2003. A healthy Bradford could have ended that drought.Fisher noted in his three seasons with the team, Bradford is 5-2-1 against the NFC West and his replacements are 2-8.Thats indicative of the type of talent he has, Fisher said. Most of those wins came when this team wasnt, in our opinion, as good as it is now.Reasons why the Rams have optimism going into next season:REPLACEMENT QUARTERBACKS: Both 34-year--old Shaun Hill and Austin Davis did some good things, and also struggled at times.dddddddddddd Davis lost the job with a poor game at Arizona — two interceptions, one returned for a TD, and a fumble that was returned for another score in a 31-14 loss. Hill threw a game-ending goal-line interception at San Diego when the Rams could have forced overtime and threw two interceptions in the finale at Seattle. The Rams gave up an NFL-high 10 return scores, eight of them by the opposing defence. At this point, Fisher is interested in both returning.Defence RULES: Gregg Williams aggressive unit didnt allow a touchdown for three straight weeks, a pair of blowout shutouts over Oakland and Washington and a 12-6 loss to the Cardinals, who mustered four field goals. After no sacks the first five games, the Rams piled up 40 in the last 11 games. End Robert Quinn (10 1/2 sacks) is going to the Pro Bowl a second straight season and there was sufficient depth to withstand end Chris Longs injury.FAST STARTS, SLOW FINISHES: The Rams outscored opponents by 58 points in the first half and had NFC West champion Seattle down 6-0 at halftime of the finale. Seattle outscored them 20-0 in the second half, and they were among the NFLs worst at minus-88 after the break. Fisher doesnt blame play-calling, praising offensive co-ordinator Brian Schottenheimer as outstanding play-caller.SPECIAL TEAMS: Johnny Hekker was a standout, leading the NFL in net punting and finishing second in gross punting. Benny Cunningham led the NFC with a 27.5-yard average on kickoff returns. The Rams were second in punt returns, with Tavon Austin averaging 11.2 yards with a 78-yard score.YOUNG BUNCH: Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a standout, leading rookies with nine sacks and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. Three other rookies started and played well — offensive tackle Greg Robinson, running back Tre Mason and cornerback E.J. Gaines. Outside linebacker Alec Ogletree has led the team in tackles both of his seasons and Austin has been an occasional big-play threat both of his seasons.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '