The first quarter of the NBA in-season tournament semifinal between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday was rather competitive. The Lakers took a 10-3 lead, but the young and talented Pelicans punched back, and, at one point, the Pelicans forged a five-point advantage.
LeBron James was quiet in that first quarter, but in the second quarter, he turned into a monster. He scored 18 points in that period, which included three consecutive 3-pointers, as L.A. went up by 13 at halftime. New Orleans had nothing left, and the Purple and Gold were very happy to stomp all over Zion Williamson and company en route to a 133-89 win.
It seemed as if the Lakers ripped the heart out of the Pelicans during that stretch, and James was the one who played Mola Ram from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” The four-time MVP scored 30 points while being ridiculously efficient in just 23 minutes. He also dished eight assists.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said James not only set the tone during the game but also prior to it with his preparation and leadership.
Darvin Ham on LeBron James: "He’s the ultimate tone setter…He set an unbelievable tone on both sides of the basketball for us tonight and his teammates just followed suit." pic.twitter.com/jMhwFj50dN
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 8, 2023
Los Angeles will play the Indiana Pacers, who are averaging an unthinkable 128.4 points a game this season, on Saturday for the first NBA Cup.