NBA: Lakers edge Pelicans as Doncic and James shine

NEW ORLEANS: The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought 111-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans here at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James each scoring 30 points to lead their team to a third consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) win.

DeAndre Ayton contributed a strong double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers finished the game on a dominant 32-17 run in the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center.

Doncic also recorded 10 assists, while James added eight rebounds and eight assists, underpinning the Lakers’ balanced performance.

The Pelicans, despite a valiant effort from Trey Murphy III, who notched a career-high 42 points, slipped to their eighth successive defeat.

Zion Williamson added 15 points, and Derik Queen posted 10 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists for New Orleans, but it was not enough to withstand the visitors’ late surge.

The game was closely contested early on, with the Lakers holding a slight 29-25 lead after the first quarter. 

However, the Pelicans responded strongly in the second and third quarters, extending their advantage to 86-79 with one quarter remaining.

The Lakers’ explosive start to the final period, spearheaded by James’s two crucial three-pointers, helped them regain control and seal the win.

With this victory, the Lakers improve their record to 23-11, while the Pelicans remain struggling at 8-30.

The Los Angeles Lakers will next face the San Antonio Spurs on 10 January.