Seven instances.
For the reason that Lakers listlessly started their post-All-Star break stretch with a disappointing loss in opposition to Charlotte, they’ve performed seven instances.
Seven instances in 13 days.
They received in Portland, they dominated in Denver. They beat the Mavericks, they bested the Timberwolves and took care of the Clippers twice. And Tuesday, on an evening the place some form of letup felt like a risk if not an all-out chance, they dominated New Orleans 136-115 after the Pelicans received 4 of their earlier 5.
It’s the Lakers longest profitable streak of the season.
Vitality and complacency had been by no means points for them Tuesday, not with Luka Doncic skipping after made threes and posing after no-look passes, not with LeBron James making historical past after which making huge play after huge play and never with the Lakers, as soon as once more, enjoying with the form of full-throttle effort that has them in second place within the Western Convention.
Doncic made six threes, together with three-straight throughout one wild stretch of dominance within the first quarter, on his option to 30 factors. And for as a lot as his shot-making knocked the Pelicans again early, his passing put them away. He discovered Jaxson Hayes time and again on the rim for simple lobs and he swung to the open nook shooter at any time when the rim was coated.
His 15 assists tied a season excessive.
James, who entered the sport one level shy of fifty,000 complete in common season and playoff scoring, acquired throughout the brink with a primary quarter three earlier than making 4 extra. He scored 34 to steer the Lakers, together with eight rebounds and 6 assists, both he or Doncic completely choosing the opposition aside always.
The Lakers, nonetheless with out Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, acquired 13 factors from Dalton Knecht and 12 every from Jared Vanderbilt and Shake Milton.
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 37 factors, however the Lakers flew across the courtroom and stifled everybody else. And regardless that they turned the ball over 15 instances for twenty-four Pelican factors, the sport was by no means actually in peril, notably late as James and Doncic had been a lot too good.
The group wraps their six-game homestand Thursday with one other huge sport, this one in opposition to the New York Knicks.
Reaves, who was questionable to play Tuesday earlier than being downgraded, might return earlier than the group heads out for a four-game journey.
