New Orleans 96, Lakers 80
The Lakers know how to keep games close. They can even have stretches in which they appear to resemble a functioning NBA team. But, then it happens. The other team wakes up, realizing they are in a close game with a team that has lost 30 games.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers were competitive and interested and the Pelicans had a one point lead going into the 4th quarter. It was the Lakers bench that was next man up. They came in expecting to establish something, to keep the game within striking distance.
But they started the 4th quarter as if their shoes were in mud and their eyes were covered in tape. Carlos Boozer looked bored. Nick Young went into crazy Nick mode, jacking up ridiculous shots that had no chance of going in. Jeremy Lin made no one better. Wayne Ellington, who had not missed a shot, suddenly couldn’t make one. And Robert Sacre was out there. Need I say more?
The Pelicans went on a 11-0 run which would have been embarrassing but you’ve seen it too many times before.
Sir Charles In Charge
The Pelicans were without guard Jrue Holiday. Tyreke Evans played the point. Still, the Lakers managed to compete for three quarters by limiting the Pelicans to one possession and making shots of their own.
Kobe returned from a few days off and was active, seeking to pass the ball. But, his teammates could not make shots. Wesley Johnson missed 7 shots, most were wide open threes. Ed Davis missed 6 shots. Nick Young missed 8 shots; his slump continues.
Jordan Hill was the Lakers best player, efficient and energized playing against Omer Asik and Anthony Davis. He delivered: 15 points, 13 rebounds. When he left the game at the end of the third, the Lakers went downhill fast.
In the third quarter, Kobe had a highlight, a two handed dunk after he drove past Dante Cunningham on the baseline. Afterwards, Kobe was continually rubbing his right shoulder. With two minutes left in the quarter, he asked to come out the game and he iced his shoulder on the sidelines. Kobe returned in the fourth quarter just to see how bad his injury was. He made a left handed hook fadeaway. But he couldn’t use the right shoulder and he was pulled.
Afterwards, Kobe didn’t seem too concerned even though he will have a MRI tomorrow. He mentioned he had been having residual soreness. It was the same shoulder he had surgery on many years ago. He aggravated it on the dunk.
The Pelicans needed little effort to finish the Lakers off. They Lakers have lost 31 games.