Sat Nov 16 2024

It wasn't at all pretty, but it ultimately got the job done. Playing on the second night of a back to back, the Lakers spent the first half running in mud against an extremely shorthanded but very hard working New Orleans Pelicans squad, and found themselves down by 10 at the break. They were being out worked, first and foremost -- as JJ Redick reportedly said at halftime, the adjustment was to "get the ****ing ball," meaning loose balls, rebounds and the like. In the second half, the Lakers didn't exactly run away with it, but they did execute at a far higher level, and just as importantly started hitting shots. The deficit was eaten up pretty quickly, and the Lakers even took a 10 point lead (that would disappear). In the end, they were simply too talented for the Pellies down the stretch. They're now 9-4, with a chance to get to 10 against Utah at home this week. All in all, a great start. The win was fueled by Anthony Davis (31 points) and Dalton Knecht (27 points), who...