Below is a running diary of the Lakers’ matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, with comments drawn from Mike Trudell’s @LakersReporter Twitter account, to ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
First Quarter
Larry Nance, Jr., hung in the air and dunked to give LAL a 5-4 lead moments after the tip at Staples. Anderson starting for Davis for NOP.
Kobe missed his 1st 3 FG’s, then drove to the hoop and converted a nice lefty runner before adding a pull-up J the next trip. 16-11 NOP.
Tyreke Evans had matched LAL’s 11 points before Brandon Bass scored on screen/roll to make it 20-13 New Orleans.
Second Quarter
Some persistence from Julius Randle results in a dunk, as he missed at the rim, but stole the outlet pass from Ajinca to make it 24-19 NOP.
Kobe is done for the night (sore Achilles cost him last game as well).
LAL managed to trail by only 3 at halftime while shooting 29.3% as they hit 14 of 17 FT’s, compared to 2 for 3 FT’s from NOP.
Third Quarter
All 10 of Williams’ points vs. GSW last week came at the FT line. Has 7 FT’s tonight, and 0 for 5 FG’s. LAL trail 46-40.
Lou Williams has been dishing tonight, up to 7 assists without a turnover after a nice pass got Anthony Brown his 2nd 3 (plus the foul).
Russell missed a 3, but thanks to Clarkson’s long rebound, had a chance to shoot from nearly the same spot to hit. All tied at 63.
#GoLakers 3rd quarter now @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes https://t.co/nYPHLXFIK6
Fourth Quarter
Speaking of @Dloading … he just capped a 9-0 run with a 3 to give LAL its first lead at 74-71 (though Evans answered w/a Pelicans 3).
New Orleans is on a 10-0 run to best LAL’s run that put them momentarily in front, allowing the visitors an 81-74 edge w/6:45 left.
Brandon Bass is done for the night after turning his right ankle. X-Ray pending, update after the game.
LAL have rallied back after the most recent time out, with Clarkson scoring twice, and Williams adding 2 more FT’s to make it 81-80, NOP.
Tyreke Evans, who leads NOP with 21 points, missed 2 FT’s, and Williams hit a tough runner to put LAL up 90-89 with 1:16 to play.
Randle tried to rotate to protect the rim; he couldn’t much deter Holiday’s layup, but he answered w/a layup himself. LAL up 1, 43.3 left.
Lou Williams grabbed a board on one end, then scored on a drive to put LAL up 3 with 18.5 seconds left.
Lou Williams provides 19 points and 8 assists, including a couple clutch buckets in the Lakers’ victory. #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/xeocu3o74G
