The new-look Los Angeles Lakers finally took the court together in their entirety on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. LeBron James returned to the lineup after missing three games with a left foot ailment.
They employed a starting lineup that included all three players they acquired in the Russell Westbrook trade along with James and Anthony Davis. Los Angeles started quickly, taking a 17-4 lead, but that advantage was trimmed to four at halftime.
The Lakers reasserted themselves in the third quarter, reestablishing a double-digit lead they never gave up, claiming a 120-102 victory.
It was an imperfect win. L.A. shot just 27% from 3-point range and 61.1% from the free-throw line. Still, it gained itself a very important win as it heads into the long All-Star break.