D’Angelo Russell scored 30 points and Austin Reaves added 27 as the Los Angeles Lakers turned a 51-point second quarter into a 139-122 victory over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
As the Lakers’ energetic guard duo combined to make nine 3-pointers, Anthony Davis contributed 20 points with six rebounds and six assists, while LeBron James had 21 points with 14 assists. Rui Hachimura also had 21 points for the Lakers.
Los Angeles won for the fourth time in its past five games, while improving to 6-3 since Jan. 25.
The 51 points in the second quarter for the Lakers tied the franchise record for any period and their 87 points in the first half was two off the franchise mark set in 1987.
Zion Williamson scored 30 points with nine rebounds and Brandon Ingram added 22 for the Pelicans, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
CJ McCollum scored 19 points, Herbert Jones had 13 and Jonas Valanciunas added 10 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which is now 1-1 on a four-game road trip after earning a 117-106 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
The Pelicans took a 39-36 lead in an offensive first quarter before the Lakers roared in front. Russell scored 14 consecutive points for Los Angeles early in the second quarter and the Lakers shot 68.2 percent from the floor in the period to take an 87-74 lead into halftime.
The Pelicans pulled to within three in the third quarter at 99-96 before the Lakers opened a 115-102 lead heading into the fourth quarter. After scoring 16 points in the second quarter, Russell added eight in the third for Los Angeles.
The Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter in a game when they had only eight turnovers.
Los Angeles played without Cam Reddish (ankle), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) and Max Christie (ankle).
The Lakers improved to 2-1 against the Pelicans with the final game of the season series coming on the last day of the regular season for both teams.
–Field Level Media