DeMarcus Cousins added 16 points and 13 rebounds and E'Twaun Moore had 11 points for the Pelicans, who won for the sixth time in their last seven games. They were playing their lone road game during a six-game stretch.
Dwight Howard, a 32-year-old center appearing in his 1,000th regular-season game in the NBA, posted 22 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte. Howard also was assessed his 10th technical foul of the season.
Kemba Walker added 20 points for the Hornets, who also benefited from Frank Kaminsky's 16 points and Marvin Williams' 14 points and season-best 14 rebounds.
The game was tied seven times across the first 14 minutes of the second half.
The Pelicans held a slim lead for most of the fourth quarter before Walker's 3-pointer at the 3:07 mark tied the game at 92.
Holiday answered with the next two baskets and later made two free throws at the 30-second mark for a 98-95 edge.
Walker made only the first of a two-shot foul with 23 seconds left. Davis followed with a pair of free throws and a steal to help the Pelicans seal the outcome.
New Orleans held a 56-53 halftime lead despite 10 turnovers. The Pelicans shot 23-for-44 (52.3 percent) from the field by the break.
Davis scored all 10 of his first-half points in the opening quarter, as the Pelicans built a 32-21 lead going into the second.
The Hornets, who were playing the fourth game of a five-game homestand, took the lead by beginning the second quarter on a 16-4 run. They lost for the fourth time in their last 10 games after finishing 6-for-21 on 3-pointers.
Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returned to action after missing Monday night's game because of an arm injury. He scored seven points in 23 minutes.
--Field Level Media
New Orleans | Charlotte | |
Anthony Davis 19 | Scoring | Dwight Howard 22 |
DeMarcus Cousins 5 | Assists | Kemba Walker 7 |
DeMarcus Cousins 13 | Rebounds | Dwight Howard 16 |
Anthony Davis 5 | Free Throws Made | Frank Kaminsky 7 |
Anthony Davis 3 | Steals | Nicolas Batum 2 |
DeMarcus Cousins 5 | Blocks | Dwight Howard 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
New Orleans | 101 | 44.8 | 9-26 | 14-18 | 26 | 42 | 10 | 6 | 16 |
Charlotte | 96 | 42.4 | 6-21 | 18-31 | 16 | 49 | 6 | 5 | 14 |