The Lakers raced out to a big lead early, withstood a second-half rally and walked away victorious for a seventh-straight game on Sunday, knocking off the Pelicans 133-121.
Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić each eclipsed 30 points for a second straight game to lead the way. New Orleans, on the second night of a back-to-back, were without a host of players, including Zion Williamson.
The purple and gold jumped to a 10-point lead early in the first. Luka and Austin combined for 13 points. Rookie Derik Queen had all four points for New Orleans. The Lakers were shooting 54% from the field, while the Pelicans were shooting 28%.
Luka continued to own the quarter, already scoring in double figures and going 3-5 from behind the arc.
Dalton Knecht saw some playing time and knocked down a triple. Los Angeles held New Orleans to just 27 points while putting up 46, their most in a quarter this season. At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by 19.
Reaves started the second quarter by draining two 3-pointers for the Lakers. Queen and Bryce McGowens were the only Pelicans in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. Ayton was not only scoring, but he also had three blocks in this half.
LaRavia drained a 3-pointer and had a solid seven points off the bench for LA. Both teams were shooting 50% from behind the arc.
The Pelicans picked up some energy towards the end of the half, scoring nine points to cut into the big deficit. Still, at halftime, the Lakers were up by 20.
New Orleans started the second half scoring six points, adding to their spurt at the end of the second quarter. Hachimura converted on a jumper to stop some of that momentum.
LA was shooting just 28% so far in the quarter, while the Pelicans were red hot at 71%. They had cut the deficit to 15. Saddiq Bey drained his third 3-pointer of the game and was in double figures with 16 points.
Momentum remained with the Pelicans as they continued to put pressure on the Lakers with their offensive surge. Jeremiah Fears was now at 15 points for New Orleans, shouldering a lot of the scoring.
At the 3:31 mark, LA’s lead was down to just 13.
Los Angeles was on a rough two-minute scoring drought. Luka put an end to it with a midrange jumper. He then converted on a four-point play, injecting life back into the team. At the end of the third, the Lakers were up by 16.
The final frame began with a pair of free throws from Ayton. LA regained its offensive flow, shooting 42% in this period as the lead extended to 21. Reaves started to surge again, scoring eight more points to put his point total to 32.
Los Angeles withstood New Orleans’ attempts to come back by defending well and securing the win.
Luka Dončić scored 22 of his 34 points in the first half. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and dished seven dimes. Austin Reaves had 33 points with five rebounds and eight assists. Deandre Ayton pitched in with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
Rui Hachimura had 14 points. Gabe Vincent, who stepped into the starting lineup with LeBron James and Marcus Smart out, notched six points with four assists. Jake LaRavia had 10 points. Jaxson Hayes scored eight points with six rebounds and two blocks.
The Lakers’ next matchup is Monday against the Phoenix Suns at 7:00 PM PT.
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