Lakers score 87 points in a spectacular first half and roll to a 139-122 victory over Pelicans
LOS ANGELES (AP) D'Angelo Russell scored 30 points, Austin Reaves added 27 and the Los Angeles Lakers rode a spectacular 87-point first half to a 139-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
LeBron James had 21 points and 14 assists, and Rui Hachimura scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half while the Lakers put on an offensive masterclass in their fourth victory in five games. Anthony Davis added 20 points as Los Angeles dominated on the second night of a back-to-back set, surging ahead with a 51-point second quarter and staying in front throughout the second half.
“That just shows what we can do as a team offensively,” Reaves said. “It’s just playing the game the right way. When we do that, everybody gets a better feel and gets a better rhythm and settles into it that way.”
Russell was the centerpiece in his return from a one-game injury absence, hitting six 3-pointers and adding five assists while the Lakers snapped New Orleans' four-game winning streak.
The Lakers led 87-74 at halftime after tying a franchise record with 51 points in the second quarter, shredding New Orleans' defense in their most prolific half of the season and the second highest-scoring first half in franchise history. With Russell's 21 points leading the way, all five starters scored at least 12 while Los Angeles hit 11 3-pointers and 67.4% of its shots overall.
“D-Lo had it going,” Davis said. “Rui made plays. Any time we’re able to get stops in the paint, transition and play fast and share the basketball, offense starts to click and we can score 51 in a quarter.”
Zion Williamson had 30 points and nine rebounds, and Brandon Ingram added 22 points for the Pelicans, who split two games in downtown Los Angeles to begin their four-game road trip.
“We just didn’t have a physical defensive presence tonight,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “I thought we started the game well, but that second quarter got away from us. Fifty-one points, that’s a lot to overcome against a team that’s this good. They made some shots, and we helped some with a lack of physicality on their end.”
Russell sat out Thursday’s loss to Denver with left knee soreness, but he returned with another impressive effort after averaging 24.0 points per game in his previous 13 outings. Russell’s improved play in recent weeks was a primary reason for the Lakers’ decision to stand pat at the trade deadline despite sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers made no moves despite hovering around .500 all season, but they’re still seeking help on the buyout market. Spencer Dinwiddie, who was traded by Brooklyn and waived by Toronto this week, watched this game from the stands while seated next to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
Dinwiddie, who attended Dallas’ game at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, is a Los Angeles native who could provide perimeter shooting and ball-handling for the Lakers if they can sign him. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.0 assists in 48 starts for the Nets this season.
“He's a big guard, a shot-maker,” Davis said. “We've seen what he did with Brooklyn, what he did with Dallas, making big plays for them. He's a well-established player, a vet in this league.”
Jonas Valanciunas had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans after he missed the second half of their win over the Clippers on Wednesday with a bruised calf.
Davis picked up his third foul in the first quarter, forcing the Lakers to alter their rotations while New Orleans put up a 39-point opening period with 16 from Ingram and 14 from Williamson.
The Lakers responded with 51 points in the second, led by 16 from Russell and 12 by Reaves.
Lakers guard Max Christie sat out after spraining his right ankle Thursday against Denver. Coach Darvin Ham also said the Lakers hope starter Cam Reddish can return after the All-Star break from his sprained ankle.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: At Portland on Saturday.
Lakers: Host Detroit on Tuesday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Jonas Valanciunas vs. Anthony Davis (Zion Williamson gains possession) | |||
11:34 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point cutting layup (Jonas Valanciunas assists) | 2-0 | |
11:08 | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point driving layup | 2-2 | |
10:57 | CJ McCollum misses three point jump shot | |||
10:54 | Rui Hachimura defensive rebound | |||
10:50 | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point running alley-oop dunk (LeBron James assists) | 2-4 | |
10:35 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point driving layup (CJ McCollum assists) | 4-4 | |
10:28 | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 4-6 | |
10:28 | Jonas Valanciunas shooting foul (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | |||
10:28 | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 4-7 | |
10:19 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point driving layup | 6-7 | |
9:54 | +2 | D'Angelo Russell makes two point driving floating jump shot (Austin Reaves assists) | 6-9 | |
9:54 | Herbert Jones shooting foul (D'Angelo Russell draws the foul) | |||
9:54 | +1 | D'Angelo Russell makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 6-10 | |
9:46 | LeBron James shooting foul (Zion Williamson draws the foul) | |||
9:46 | Zion Williamson misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
9:46 | Pelicans offensive rebound | |||
9:46 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 7-10 | |
9:32 | +3 | Rui Hachimura makes three point jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 7-13 | |
9:10 | Herbert Jones misses three point jump shot | |||
9:09 | Zion Williamson offensive rebound | |||
9:09 | Anthony Davis shooting foul (Zion Williamson draws the foul) | |||
9:09 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 8-13 | |
9:09 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 9-13 | |
8:57 | D'Angelo Russell misses three point jump shot | |||
8:53 | Jonas Valanciunas defensive rebound | |||
8:52 | Jonas Valanciunas turnover (double dribble) | |||
8:36 | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point layup (LeBron James assists) | 9-15 | |
8:28 | +2 | CJ McCollum makes two point driving floating jump shot | 11-15 | |
8:16 | Jonas Valanciunas shooting foul (Anthony Davis draws the foul) | |||
8:16 | +1 | Anthony Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 11-16 | |
8:16 | Anthony Davis misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
8:14 | Zion Williamson defensive rebound | |||
8:07 | +3 | Herbert Jones makes three point jump shot (Zion Williamson assists) | 14-16 | |
7:54 | Rui Hachimura misses three point jump shot | |||
7:50 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
7:36 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point cutting layup (Larry Nance Jr. assists) | 16-16 | |
7:36 | Anthony Davis shooting foul (Zion Williamson draws the foul) | |||
7:36 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 17-16 | |
7:26 | Anthony Davis misses three point jump shot | |||
7:22 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
7:18 | Brandon Ingram turnover (bad pass) (Anthony Davis steals) | |||
7:11 | +2 | Rui Hachimura makes two point cutting dunk (Anthony Davis assists) | 17-18 | |
6:49 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point driving dunk (Herbert Jones assists) | 19-18 | |
6:26 | +2 | Austin Reaves makes two point turnaround jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 19-20 | |
6:19 | Austin Reaves personal foul (CJ McCollum draws the foul) | |||
6:19 | Lakers 60 second timeout | |||
6:02 | CJ McCollum misses three point stepback jump shot | |||
5:59 | Anthony Davis defensive rebound | |||
5:50 | +3 | Austin Reaves makes three point jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 19-23 | |
5:30 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point pullup jump shot (Larry Nance Jr. assists) | 21-23 | |
5:13 | Rui Hachimura misses three point jump shot | |||
5:10 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
5:02 | Brandon Ingram misses two point pullup jump shot | |||
5:00 | Anthony Davis defensive rebound | |||
4:55 | +2 | Rui Hachimura makes two point running layup (Anthony Davis assists) | 21-25 | |
4:43 | +2 | Larry Nance Jr. makes two point cutting dunk (Brandon Ingram assists) | 23-25 | |
4:30 | Herbert Jones technical foul (Defensive three second) | |||
4:30 | Austin Reaves misses technical free throw 1 of 1 | |||
4:30 | Lakers offensive rebound | |||
4:17 | Taurean Prince turnover (lost ball) (Dyson Daniels steals) | |||
4:10 | Anthony Davis shooting foul (Brandon Ingram draws the foul) | |||
4:10 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 24-25 | |
4:10 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 25-25 | |
4:10 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 26-25 | |
3:57 | Skylar Mays misses three point jump shot | |||
3:53 | Larry Nance Jr. defensive rebound | |||
3:47 | +2 | Larry Nance Jr. makes two point bank hook shot (Brandon Ingram assists) | 28-25 | |
3:19 | +2 | Skylar Mays makes two point driving finger roll layup (Taurean Prince assists) | 28-27 | |
3:08 | Taurean Prince shooting foul (Brandon Ingram draws the foul) | |||
3:08 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 29-27 | |
3:08 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 30-27 | |
2:50 | +2 | Christian Wood makes two point turnaround jump shot (Austin Reaves assists) | 30-29 | |
2:36 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point driving floating jump shot | 32-29 | |
2:23 | +2 | Rui Hachimura makes two point driving layup | 32-31 | |
2:22 | Pelicans 60 second timeout | |||
2:11 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point driving layup | 34-31 | |
2:11 | Taurean Prince shooting foul (Brandon Ingram draws the foul) | |||
2:11 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 35-31 | |
1:59 | Zion Williamson shooting foul (LeBron James draws the foul) | |||
1:59 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 35-32 | |
1:59 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 35-33 | |
1:37 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point driving reverse layup | 37-33 | |
1:17 | Zion Williamson blocks LeBron James's two point driving floating jump shot | |||
1:17 | Lakers offensive rebound | |||
1:12 | +2 | LeBron James makes two point driving finger roll layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 37-35 | |
1:00 | Dyson Daniels turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
0:48 | Jose Alvarado shooting foul (Taurean Prince draws the foul) | |||
0:48 | Taurean Prince misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
0:48 | Lakers offensive rebound | |||
0:48 | +1 | Taurean Prince makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 37-36 | |
0:30 | Skylar Mays blocks Jose Alvarado's three point jump shot | |||
0:27 | Zion Williamson offensive rebound | |||
0:27 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point putback layup | 39-36 | |
0:08 | Skylar Mays misses two point driving floating jump shot | |||
0:06 | Zion Williamson defensive rebound | |||
0:01 | Brandon Ingram misses three point pullup jump shot | |||
0:00 | Pelicans offensive rebound | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:43 | LeBron James misses two point fadeaway jump shot | |||
11:34 | Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound | |||
11:34 | +2 | Jaxson Hayes makes two point turnaround hook shot | 39-38 | |
11:20 | +3 | Trey Murphy III makes three point jump shot (Larry Nance Jr. assists) | 42-38 | |
11:08 | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point stepback jump shot | 42-41 | |
10:47 | Larry Nance Jr. misses three point jump shot | |||
10:44 | Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound | |||
10:39 | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point pullup jump shot | 42-44 | |
10:15 | +2 | CJ McCollum makes two point pullup jump shot (Larry Nance Jr. assists) | 44-44 | |
10:05 | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point pullup jump shot | 44-47 | |
9:52 | +3 | Dyson Daniels makes three point jump shot (Zion Williamson assists) | 47-47 | |
9:44 | CJ McCollum shooting foul (D'Angelo Russell draws the foul) | |||
9:44 | +1 | D'Angelo Russell makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 47-48 | |
9:44 | +1 | D'Angelo Russell makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 47-49 | |
9:32 | Larry Nance Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Jaxson Hayes steals) | |||
9:24 | +3 | D'Angelo Russell makes three point pullup jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 47-52 | |
9:23 | Pelicans 60 second timeout | |||
9:13 | Zion Williamson turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
8:53 | +2 | Rui Hachimura makes two point driving reverse layup (D'Angelo Russell assists) | 47-54 | |
8:41 | +2 | CJ McCollum makes two point driving floating jump shot (Zion Williamson assists) | 49-54 | |
8:33 | +3 | Rui Hachimura makes three point jump shot (LeBron James assists) | 49-57 | |
8:17 | Jaxson Hayes shooting foul (Zion Williamson draws the foul) | |||
8:17 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 50-57 | |
8:17 | +1 | Zion Williamson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 51-57 | |
7:58 | Trey Murphy III shooting foul (LeBron James draws the foul) | |||
7:58 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 51-58 | |
7:58 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 51-59 | |
7:48 | Zion Williamson misses two point driving layup | |||
7:48 | Larry Nance Jr. offensive rebound | |||
7:47 | Jaxson Hayes blocks Larry Nance Jr.'s two point putback layup | |||
7:46 | Larry Nance Jr. offensive rebound | |||
7:41 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point dunk (Larry Nance Jr. assists) | 53-59 | |
7:30 | +3 | LeBron James makes three point jump shot | 53-62 | |
7:16 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point driving layup | 55-62 | |
6:58 | +3 | LeBron James makes three point jump shot | 55-65 | |
6:42 | Zion Williamson misses two point driving layup | |||
6:42 | Lakers defensive rebound | |||
6:42 | Jump ball. Jaxson Hayes vs. Larry Nance Jr. (LeBron James gains possession) | |||
6:26 | Zion Williamson shooting foul (LeBron James draws the foul) | |||
6:26 | Pelicans delay of game violation | |||
6:26 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 55-66 | |
6:26 | +1 | LeBron James makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 55-67 | |
6:13 | +2 | Zion Williamson makes two point driving layup (Brandon Ingram assists) | 57-67 | |
5:57 | +2 | Rui Hachimura makes two point dunk (Anthony Davis assists) | 57-69 | |
5:44 | Brandon Ingram misses two point pullup jump shot | |||
5:41 | Rui Hachimura defensive rebound | |||
5:38 | Taurean Prince misses three point running jump shot | |||
5:34 |