Anthony Davis Rips the NO Pelicans, Lakers Win 123-113

Anthony Davis demolished his former team, leading the LA Lakers to another win. The latest victims of the No.1 seed in the West were the New Orleans Pelicans, who left Staples Center with a 123-113 loss.

The Eyebrow had 46 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals, shooting 15-of-21 from the field, and being perfect from the foul stripe, 13-for-13. He would harass the Pelicans on both sides of the court, not having the slightest emotion towards the team, where he established himself as one of the best centers in the recent decade.

46 PTS | 13 REB | 3 STL

AD did it all in the @Lakers W against the Pelicans! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/5EQieBVUsG

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 4, 2020

The hosts opened the game furiously, winning the first period 42-30, and setting up the tone offensively. LeBron had 8 assists, while Danny Green dropped 17 buckets demolishing the Pelicans defense from a distance with five threes.

“My teammates did a great job of finding me,” the reigning champ from the Toronto Raptors said. “I got easy, wide-open look rhythm shots in the corner, and once one or two go in, it is easy.”

They would continue at the same pace in the second, yet the Pelicans were there holding on as much as they could. The result at the halftime was 74-62 for the purple and gold, who made a 12-2 run midway through the third, to get away to a 24-point gap.

However, once again, Frank Vogel’s boys opened the final 12 minutes pretty slow, allowing the Pelicans to make a 15-4 series and to come down to a potentially threatening distance. Lakers would wake up, increase the volume on both ends and close this one in their favor.

“We have to be on our toes at all times on the defensive end of the floor,” said Green following the match.

LeBron James was inspired to share with other teammates, which is why he posted 15 assists. LBJ was two boards short of reaching another triple-double, as he also added 17 buckets. Kuzma had 10 off the bench.

However, the guy who replaced both James and the rest of the Lakers’ scorers was Green. He would end the night with 25 points, 5 assists and boards each, hitting six threes. It seems that he slowly reaches the level of play which made him one of the most respected players in the league. Green, who was a top defender next to Kawhi Leonard in both San Antonio and Toronto when winning titles, came to Lakers as the final piece in their championship puzzle.

New Orleans was giving its best, but couldn’t make a push to get closer and try to make a sensation. Brandon Ingram opened the game hitting just two of his 10 shots, but improved later to score 22 points. Meanwhile, Lonzo Ball was very motivated and had a team-high for the guests, 23 points, with 10-of-16 shooting. Etwaun Moore scored 16, Derrick Favors 15, and added 14 boards. All in all the guests from the Big Easy did a solid job, but LAL had Davis.

A very interesting thing was the number of free throws. The hosts had 28 of them, and the Pelicans just seven.

The Lakers (28-7) are hosting the Pistons on Sunday, and after that, have a clash with the New York Knicks on Tuesday. After that, LeBron and the company are heading for Dallas to finish this year’s regular-season series against Luka Doncic and the Mavs.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans (11-24) have a second od back-to-back game in Sacramento against the Kings tomorrow. Following this matchup, Gentry’s boys are heading home for a two-game stand, against the Jazz and the Bulls.