FIRST PUNCH LANDED
Backcourt of Russell, Reaves comes up big as Lakers get past Pelicans, into playoffs
NEW ORLEANS » After their “Game 1” victory on Sunday, the Lakers expected a more aggressive and physical version of the New Orleans in Tuesday's play-in tournament matchup.
And they withstood New Orleans' best punches, beating the Pelicans 110-106 to clinch the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and secure a spot in a firstround series against the second-seeded defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets — a rematch of last season's conference finals. Game 1 is Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Denver. “Tonight we showcased what we were able to do both offensively and defensively,”
Up next: No. 7 Lakers at No. 2 Nuggets, first round of playoffs, Game 1, Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Ch. 7
THE SCORE LAKERS 110, PELICANS 106
said Lakers star LeBron James, who had 23 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in the win. “We've got a good group going right now, good rotation, good plan and guys are coming in ready to go.”
The Pelicans “threw some heavy blows at us,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham, whose team enters the playoffs having won 12 of 15 games. “They kept swinging. We kept fighting back.
“It revealed a lot about us and what we're made of,” he added. “That's a helluva team we just got past.”
Even with James once again leading the Lakers with a strong two-way performance despite struggling with his shot (6-for-20 shooting) and taking on the Zion Williamson defensive assignment for the second straight game, the Lakers had to find other ways to pull out the victory with their star duo struggling to get them across the finish line.
And the Lakers' starting backcourt delivered.
D'Angelo Russell (21 points on 7-for-14
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