A match between Pelicans and the Lakers is always special for Brandon Ingram (32 points, 8 assists, 3 steals) and Anthony Davis (31 points, 14 rebounds), who had been transferred against each other five years earlier. For its return to Louisiana, “AD” took the opportunity to shine as much as “BI”, with the difference that it leaves with the victory (104-99).
On the Lakers side, the legs are heavy, the efforts are not made and there is a lot of complacency in the game. Enough to benefit Brandon Ingram and others, pumped up and who simply show more will collectively to fly to the score (30-21). Fortunately, Anthony Davis is there to save the furniture.
Helped by Dalton Knecht, LeBron James tries to sound a revolt but the Pels hold on. Their excessive activity is a headache for the “Purple & Gold”, punished by Jaylen Nowell, Brandon Boston Jr, Yves Missi, Jamal Cain and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, all at their best level (56-46).
After the break, Los Angeles picks up strongly under the leadership of Anthony Davis, untenable in the paint, but especially Dalton Knecht, hot from 3-points to put his team in the lead. Opposite, Brandon Ingram is isolated and the offensive rebounds are of no use due to avoidable ball losses and glaring clumsiness (75-71). But New Orleans doesn't let up with Jaylen Nowell and Ingram, which leads to a tense finish when we thought LA was in control. A success that LeBron James will seek, despite Brandon Ingram, by planting 11 of the last 12 Californian points, while he was not at his best in the game (104-99).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Los Angeles suffers but passes fifth. In “back-to-back” away, it took a good half-time for the Lakers to get going and succeed in controlling the hyperactivity of these certainly featherless but valiant Pelicans. If Anthony Davis no longer displays an MVP level in the paint, we will notably remember Dalton Knecht's hot shot after the break as well as LeBron James' boss finish to lead his team to victory. The fifth in a row and now with three home games, where they have not yet lost this season, the series could climb a little more on the LA side…
– Dalton connects faster than his shadow. The already surprising but empowered Lakers rookie continues to show great things in the shadow of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Still starting without Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht initially served as a breath of fresh air in the first half with his 3-pointers, when the team was struggling in attack. Then he especially turned things around in the third quarter, always with distant baskets, to erase the ten points behind his team. Before proving valuable in “money time” and punctuating his “career high” (27 points) in the best way.
– Another Top 5 for LeBron James. Already Top 5 in points, assists, baskets, free throws, minutes and triple-doubles, LeBron James now enters the Top 5 of players who have the most games in the regular season. Thus surpassing John Stockton (1,504) with his 1,505th game and finding himself only behind Dirk Nowitzki (1,522), Vince Carter (1,541), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) and Robert Parish (1,611). Three of them can be achieved this season, but the last one will be quiet until the next one.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
