LeBron James' Big Night Leads Lakers to Victory
LeBron James piled on the points and assists to lead the Lakers to a 118-109 victory against the Pelicans. His 34 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals helped power Los Angeles' win. It was another masterful performance from James who continues to be one of the league's most dominant players.
James also found success in the pick-and-roll with fellow Laker Anthony Davis. According to NBA Stats, the Lakers' offensive rating on those plays was an impressive 131.3, or roughly 12 points better than their season average (119). Their defense was also at its best, limiting the Pelicans to just 34% shooting from beyond the arc and collecting nine blocks as a team. After the game, James credited his teammates for stepping up when he needed them most– a sure sign of a great leader.
Dennis Schroder Comes Up Clutch Late in Game
Dennis Schroder provided a much-needed spark off the bench to help put the game away in the fourth quarter. He had 16 points, four rebounds and two assists in the game. His timely baskets down the stretch helped ice the game for Los Angeles. Schroder was excellent shooting from deep, connecting on 4-of-6 attempts from three-point range.
Schroder has been one of the most consistent players for the team this season, and that continued in this game. After a slow start, he got hot late in the third quarter and helped give Los Angeles momentum going into the fourth. The Lakers were able to lean on him down the stretch even after Anthony Davis fouled out late, giving Schroder ample chances to prove himself as a reliable option when the game is on the line. He came through time and time again, delivering clutch buckets and plays whenever they needed them. Without his heroics, it could have easily been a different result than what we witnessed tonight.
Anthony Davis Returns From Injury, Sparks Laker Win
Anthony Davis played in his first game since March 17th, a stint which saw him miss seven games due to injury. He had 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in a well-rounded performance. Davis got hot from three as well, making 4-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc. His return certainly provided the Lakers with a massive boost against the Pelicans.
The Lakers, riding the energy provided by Davis’ return, pulled off a overtime victory that put them 1 game behind the Utah Jazz in their battle for top seed in the Western conference. Davis' presence was vital to the Lakers win, as he provided star power and a reliable scoring contribution on both ends of the floor. His assists, steals and blocks highlight how engaged he was on the defensive end and his clutch three-pointers down the stretch demonstrated his willingness to take big shots when needed. It's clear that having Anthony Davis back has made a huge difference for the Lakers as they make their push towards another championship crown.
Montrezl Harrell Powers Lakers During 2nd Half
Montrezl Harrell was one of the bright spots in the victory. He had 18 points and 12 rebounds, providing instant energy off the bench. And he came up big during the second half when Davis struggled. He scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in a decisive third quarter run to help turn the tide for Los Angeles. Lakers fans were surely delighted that were able to see firsthand what Harrell brings to the team night after night.
Harrell is averaging a career-high 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game with the Lakers while playing off the bench behind Davis, Lopez and center Marc Gasol in coach Frank Vogel’s lineup. His improved scoring output came as a result of his continual rebounding success, along with an increased willingness to attack the rim during games. Against Minnesota Saturday night, Harrell made smart decisions in terms of when to pass and when to shoot, showing incredible poise with the ball given that this is his first season in Los Angeles. The numbers do not show it, but this duo is becoming one of the most lethal in the entire league as Harrell complements Davis’ play well through their power forward/center combination at each end of the floor.
Crowded Laker Bench Makes Impact Down The Stretch
As important as the usual suspects were for the Lakers in the victory, the team's deep bench was also a factor. Though Harrell played a strong game off the bench, it wasn't just him providing assistance. Kyle Kuzma scored 10 points on 4-10 shooting in 22 minutes while Dion Waiters (16) and Wesley Matthews (10) combined to score 26 points of their own. Together, this quintet showed just how dangerous the Lakers can be when they have all their pieces in place.
The Lakers have long been a team that is supported by a strong bench throughout their history, especially in clutch situations. This was again true against the Pelicans as the Lakers’ bench scored 33 points in comparison to the Pelicans’
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