Unlike many of their recent games, the Los Angeles Lakers actually fell behind early on in Friday night’s ESPN-televised affair against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, who were entering Friday’s game in the opposite way the Lakers did, losing four straight games. But after leading by as many as 15 in the second quarter, the Lakers continued the trend for both teams, eventually demolishing the Pelicans 115-92. With Lakers defense held the Pelicans to 92 points, it was the fifth time this season the Lakers have held a team to fewer than 100 points this season as they extended their season-best win-streak to five games.
As they have been all season, they were led by LeBron James, who had 22 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds to help the Lakers to a league-best 11-3 record. With a few highlight plays and another big stat line, James continues to make his case as the frontrunner for MVP.