The New Orleans Pelicans visited the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday night (October 22) at their Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. It was the Pelicans third game this season and their first winning game as well after losing straight on their past two games. The visitors shot in the overall 57 percent from the inside, 31 percent from the three-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line. They outrebounded the Lakers 42-38 in this one but had 18 turnovers compared to the 17 of the home squad.
NBA game recap
The New Orleans Pelicans started off the game solid with a 6-0 run in early four minutes of the game after the LA Lakers misses their first eight shots.
The Pelicans finished the first 12 minutes of the game with 34 points, outscoring the Lakers, 34-22.
The Pelicans kept their game in the second quarter and expanded their lead 64-49 before Kentavious Caldwell-Pope banked in seven unanswered points before the last minute of the period. At halftime, the Pelicans still were in front, 68-55.
Though the Lakers ended the third quarter with 28 points, the Pelicans answered that with 26 points and was still in the lead after the period. Earlier in the final quarter, the Lakers came back with a 16-2 run, outscoring the Pelicans for the first time.
But the Pelicans are determined to win their first. They tied the score 110-110 with the last 160 seconds and finished the game with 9-2 run, celebrating their first victory in the season 119-112 against the Lakers.
Anthony Davis helps the Pelicans with 27 points
The New Orlean Pelicans had five different players in double-digit scoring in this winning game. Anthony Davis led the way for the Pelicans with his game-high 27 points, hitting 9-of-18 field goal shots, 1 three-pointer, and 8-of-10 free throws. Davis also added game-high 17 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks in exactly 39 minutes off the bench.
Forward DeMarcus Cousins contributed double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds to go along with his eight assists. E'Twaun Moore helped with 19 points while, both Jrue Holiday and Ian Clark added 14 points.
For the LA Lakers, it was Jordan Clarkson who led the team in scoring points. He had 24 points in 27 minutes game time with five assists.
Rookie Lonzo Ball who lead the team in their previous matchup against the Phonix Suns on the night of October 20, shot just 3-of-13 for eight points. But he also added 13 assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played well on his first appearance for the Lakers to score 20 points while rookie Kyle Kuzma also had 20 points in 30 minutes off the bench.
What's up next?
After this game, New Orleans Pelicans improved their record to 1-2 overall. The Pelicans are expected to play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, October 24 at 10 p.m. while the Lakers are set to play against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, October 25 at 10:30 p.m.