Davis and Towns combine for 78 points in head-to-head matchup

Former University of Kentucky stars Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 78 points in their head-to-head matchup on Friday night in Minneapolis. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 122-106.

Davis was 16-for-22 from the field while scoring 42 points to go with 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot. He was also 2-for-3 from three-point range.

Towns countered with 36 points, eight rebounds and one assist. He was 13-for-22 from the field and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

New Orleans took control of the game in the third quarter when Davis drew Towns’ fourth foul with 5:41 to go. Davis made both free throws to give the Pelicans a 78-75 lead and Towns exited the game. When Towns returned for the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves trailed 98-89.

“He can score from anywhere on the floor. He’s physical,” Davis told the Associated Press of Towns. “He’s very aggressive. It’s always fun going against another Kentucky alum. But I think tonight I got the best of him.”

The AP reported that it was the sixth time Davis scored 40 or more this season, and it was his highest-scoring game since he put up 45 on the Wolves in New Orleans on Nov. 23.

Next up for Davis and the Pelicans is a matchup with another former Wildcat, DeMarcus Cousins, and the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

This story was originally published February 10, 2017 at 10:29 PM with the headline "Davis and Towns combine for 78 points in head-to-head matchup."