The Lakers beat the Pelicans 133-89 at home, ending a two-game losing streak. James played just 22 minutes and scored 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, while Davis contributed a double-double of 16 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists against his former club. Pelicans mainstays Ingram and Zion have both been sluggish, scoring just 9 and 13 points, respectively, and are unable to withstand the Lakers' frenzy. What exactly are the details of this game that are worth paying attention to?Let's recap it together.
The Lakers have a 7-8 record in their first 15 games of the season, sitting ninth in the West and just half a win away from a play-in spot. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are eighth in the West with an 8-7 record and are direct competitors to the Lakers. This match is a key battle for both sides, determining their standings and morale in the West.
After the game began, the Lakers showed strong offensive and defensive capabilities, leading by 19 points in the first quarter with a score of 38-19. James scored 14 points in the first quarter and showed his dominance. The Pelicans' offense struggled, with neither Ingram nor Zion finding their groove and relying on a three-pointer from bench player Murphy to relieve the pressure. In the second quarter, the Lakers' advantage continued to expand, with Reaves and Brown joining the scoring bands, and the Lakers led by 30 points at 72-42 at halftime. The Pelicans' defense completely collapsed, allowing the Lakers to score easily.
In the second half, the Lakers didn't give the Pelicans any chances, continuing to maintain an efficient offense and tight defense, and at the end of the third quarter, the Lakers led by 38 points, 104-66. James scored another 11 points in the quarter, reaching the 30-point mark, and then went off early. Davis also had a double-double in the quarter, and against his old club, he didn't show any emotion. The Pelicans' main players did not play again, and they could only let the Lakers continue to widen the point difference. In the end, the Lakers defeated the Pelicans with a score of 133-89 to win a landslide victory.
In this game, the Lakers' performance was perfect, and their offensive efficiency was as high as 644%, and the three-point shooting percentage also reached 462%。Their defense was also excellent, limiting the Pelicans' scoring points and allowing them to shoot just 368%, and only 25% three-point shooting. The Lakers' main players have played their best, the combination of James and Davis has once again proved that they are the strongest inside and outside duo in the league, Reaves and Brown have also given them enough support, and Wei Shao has contributed on both the offensive and defensive ends, although he has not scored much. The Lakers' bench players did not relax either, with Ryan, Monk, Horton-Tucker and others all performing well, showing the depth and strength of the Lakers.
What are the doubts behind this game?Let's take a look:
Why is the Lakers' offensive efficiency so high?Is it because their tactics are more cohesive, or is it because the Pelicans' defense is too poor?Why are the Pelicans' main players performing so sluggishly?Is it because they're not in good shape, or because the Lakers' defense is too strong?Will this victory for the Lakers give them more confidence and motivation to continue their high level of performance in the upcoming games?Can the Pelicans' loss give them more vigilance and reflection to adjust their tactics and mentality in the upcoming games?
There may not be a definitive answer to these questions, but we can analyze and discuss them according to our own views and understandings. You are welcome to leave your views and opinions in the comment area to communicate and share with other basketball lovers. Thank you for watching, and see you next time.