Drafts, Lakers knock off Pelicans late game

Thanks to a favorable schedule, the Lakers won their third consecutive victory, but Pelicans tortured them for 40 minutes.

The game starts with a 3-point shootout. Trey Murphy III quickly finds the target, while LeBron James sets the tone on the California side. Zion Williamson, has already recovered from his dislocated ankleaggressive from the start, and Deandre Jordan fondly remembers the Staples Center. Despite several turnovers and a disastrous start by Austin Reeves, the Lakers stayed in touch and trailed by only two points (33-31) at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter starts with two free throws by Williamson. But California’s response was immediate: Marcus Smart lays LeBron up for a hard layup dunk, then LeBron goes on to start a 9-0 run. He already has 16 points. After Deandre Ayton’s dunk, the Pelicans stopped the bleeding, but Los Angeles pressed on and JJ Redick’s men led 16-2. New Orleans responds with seven straight points. Murphy, penalized with three fouls, returns to the bench.

The Lakers are turning up the defensive intensity, causing several turnovers. Zion brings his team closer, but a shot from the middle Luka Dončić gives the Lakers a 54-51 halftime lead.

27-4 for the end of the match!

Coming back from the locker room, Sion hits from behind the arc. Another layup by Smart gives LeBron a dunk and a seven-point lead for the Lakers. But Reaves remains clumsy, and the turnovers pile up: 20 in the first three quarters. The Pelicans used a 9-0 run to get back in front, even with a gorgeous windmill dunk by Murphy (70-69). Despite another shot by Doncic to limit the damage and a rush by Reaves, New Orleans finished better and entered the last quarter with a two-point advantage (78-76).

The Pelicans have the wind at their backs and extend their lead to eight points, their largest deficit of the game. Then everything changes. The Lakers, much more serious with the ball in hand (only one turnover in the quarter), went on a 12-0 run to regain a four-point lead with four minutes left (98-94). Reaves, finally warmed up, scored two game-winning shots, and the Lakers relied on him at the end of the match.

Another game-winning basket by Smart makes the series 19-4. Then Doncic scores a point from behind the arc and gives his team a ten-point lead. In the end, Los Angeles closed the game with a sharp 24-7 run in the final minutes, with six of his 12 blocks coming in the fourth quarter alone! Final score, 110-101 with a benchmark score in the final quarter against a team that is playing free at the end of the season.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Doncic suspended soon? Luka Dončić received his 14th technical foul in the first half. Two more, and he will automatically be suspended for one match. Dillon Brooks is the leader in this category with 16 technical fouls, but he is in the infirmary and Doncic could soon match or even surpass him.

Reaves with two faces. Austin Reeves had a nightmare first half between turnovers and clumsiness: 0 of 8 on shots! Finally, despite the blow to the right hand, he found himself in the last quarter and it was he who kicked out the Pelicans.

Murphy puts on a show. We’re used to watching him draw from afar, but Trey Murphy scored two Top 10-worthy dunks. First, in the 1st quarter, in Statue of Liberty mode, and second, in the 3rd quarter, with a great windmill dunk after a Luka Doncic turnover.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.