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Pelicans 132, Lakers 125
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Forward Anthony Davis and guard Eric Gordon scored 28 points apiece, sparking the New Orleans Pelicans to a 132-125 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Tuesday night.
The Pelicans (24-37) snapped an eight-game losing streak. They also ended a nine-game skid against the Lakers at Staples.
Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans had a strong outing, scoring 24 points, handing out 11 assists and pulling down seven rebounds. Davis had a game-high 15 boards. Guard Brian Roberts chipped in 19 points, and guard Austin Rivers had 12 points and four steals off the bench.
Center Pau Gasol scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Los Angeles (21-40). Forward Kent Bazemore added 23 points, and reserve guard Jordan Farmar finished with 20 points, 10 of them in the fourth quarter. Guard Jodie Meeks had 17 points.
Los Angeles pulled to within 128-124 after a 3-pointer by Meeks with 1:46 remaining, but Bazemore and Farmar missed jumpers on consecutive possessions. Gasol made one of two free throws with 18.1 seconds left to close the gap to three, but Gordon converted two free throws and forward Anthony Morrow added two more, allowing New Orleans to prevail.
The Pelicans took a 67-51 lead at the break as four players scored in double figures, including Davis, who led the way with 19 points.
The Lakers made a run in the third, cutting the margin to 91-85 after forward Ryan Kelly hit a baseline jumper with 1:12 left in the quarter. However, two free throws by Gordon and a basket by Rivers gave New Orleans a 95-85 advantage at the end of the third.
An 8-2 run to open the fourth allowed the Lakers to pull to within 97-93 after a layup by guard MarShon Brooks, but the Pelicans were able to hold on.
Both teams were playing their second game in as many nights. The Pelicans were coming off a 96-89 defeat against the Kings in Sacramento, while the Lakers stunned the Trail Blazers 107-106 in Portland.
The Lakers were attempting to register their first three-game winning streak since November. They lost to the Pelicans for the second time in three meetings this season.
NOTES: Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said the club’s medical staff will make the call on whether injured G Kobe Bryant and G Steve Nash return this season. D’Antoni, though, said their absence provides him and the front office a better opportunity to evaluate the team’s other players. … The Pelicans tied a season high with 35 points in the first quarter and 67 in the half. Both previous marks came against the Philadelphia 76ers. … New Orleans G Tyreke Evans averaged 21 points — 8.5 points above season average — over his past three starts entering Tuesday’s contest. Evans scored a season-high 27 points Monday in a loss to the Sacramento Kings. … Pelicans coach Monty Williams said injuries to G Jrue Holiday and F Ryan Anderson were a blessing in disguise in the development of F/C Anthony Davis as the franchise player.
