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NEW ORLEANS –– Anthony Davis scored 31 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers (9-4) to a 104-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (4-10), extending their winning streak to five games, Saturday night before 18,761 at the Smoothie King Center.
After a six-game losing streak and dropping nine of ten amidst a rash of injuries, New Orleans snapped the Denver Nuggets' five-game winning streak on Friday and sought to end the Lakers' winning ways.
After amassing triple-doubles in the past four games, the Pelicans snapped LeBron James' triple-double streak. The future Hall of Famer scored 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
The Lakers consistently attacked the lane, outscoring the Pelicans 52-40 in points in the paint.
The Pelicans took a 56-46 lead into the half.
Los Angeles limited the Pelicans' second-chance points by rebounding the ball and used a 29-15 third quarter to seize the lead. Davis blocked Brandon Boston Jr.'s five-foot driving layup in the third quarter to move into ninth place on the Lakers' all-time list for blocks (607).
Brandon Ingram hit a clutch three-pointer to give the Pelicans a late two-point lead, but Los Angeles utilized an 8-0 run over the last 1:51 of the fourth quarter to close the game.
Rookie Dalton Knecht had a career-high 27 points and seven rebounds for Los Angeles.
Ingram had 32 points and eight assists for the Pelicans.
Up Next:
The Lakers will host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Pelicans travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks.