Lakers Move to 2-0 in NBA Cup West Group B After Victory in New Orleans
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The Los Angeles Lakers earned their second straight Emirates NBA Cup win on Nov. 14, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 112-93 at Smoothie King Center to stay unbeaten in West Group B play.
Austin Reaves paced Los Angeles with 31 points in 39 minutes, adding seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. The guard’s performance helped the Lakers improve to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in group play.
The Lakers controlled the game after the first quarter, though New Orleans threatened several rallies before Los Angeles secured the result. Head coach JJ Redick’s club now returns to Crypto.com Arena for its final two group contests: Nov. 25 against the L.A. Clippers and Nov. 28 versus the Dallas Mavericks.
Group Standings
1. Los Angeles Lakers: 2-0, +19 point differential
2. Los Angeles Clippers: 2-0, +2 point differential
3. Memphis Grizzlies: 1-1, +9 point differential
4. Dallas Mavericks: 0-2, –14 point differential
5. New Orleans Pelicans: 0-2, –16 point differential
Earlier in the week, the Clippers also moved to 2-0 by outlasting the Mavericks 133-127 in double overtime. James Harden scored 41 points in the win, while D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall each had 28 for Dallas. Because the game required extra periods, neither team received a point-differential bonus, keeping the Lakers on top of the table.
Memphis did not play but remains third after a 118-104 victory over Dallas in its opener. The Grizzlies face New Orleans in their next cup matchup.
The Lakers can clinch West Group B by beating the Clippers next Tuesday. Group play concludes three days later when Los Angeles hosts Dallas.
Source: LakersNation.com
