Lakers Defeat Pelicans 118-104, Improve to 2-0 in Emirates NBA Cup Group Play
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The Los Angeles Lakers strengthened their position atop their Emirates NBA Cup group on Friday night, downing the New Orleans Pelicans 118-104 at Smoothie King Center. The win pushed Los Angeles to 2-0 in Cup play and 9-4 on the season.
First-half surge sets the tone
Austin Reaves opened the scoring with a corner three-pointer and added two quick assists as the Lakers raced to an early 16-11 advantage. The visitors strung together 15 unanswered points, highlighted by buckets from Luka Doncic and Reaves, to lead by as many as 15 in the opening quarter. New Orleans trimmed the margin to 35-25 before the period ended.
The Pelicans’ 8-2 run to start the second quarter cut the deficit to two, but Doncic halted the momentum with a deep three. Frequent trips to the free-throw line for Doncic and second-chance baskets from Deandre Ayton helped Los Angeles restore control, sending the Lakers to halftime ahead 65-52.
Defense and transition offense extend the gap
Los Angeles tightened its defense out of the break, creating transition chances that pushed the lead to 22. Jarred Vanderbilt even knocked down a rare three-pointer during the stretch. A late Pelicans spurt narrowed the gap to 95-77 entering the fourth.
Pelicans rally falls short
New Orleans opened the final period with a 12-0 burst, closing within 10 and forcing a Lakers timeout. Reaves stemmed the tide at the foul line, and head coach JJ Redick reinserted his starters. Consecutive baskets by Reaves and Rui Hachimura rebuilt a 15-point cushion, and the Lakers maintained a double-digit edge the rest of the way.
Looking ahead
The Lakers wrap up their road trip Saturday in Milwaukee, facing the Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back.
Source: LakersNation.com
