Lakers destroy Pelicans in game with huge playoff implications

The Los Angeles Lakers played the first game of a back-to-back on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lake Show lost the previous game in the “Big Easy” the Saturday before the trade deadline. Let’s just say things have changed mightily since then.

The Lakers overhauled their roster and brought their new toys to the Smoothie King Center, and bullied the New Orleans Pelicans out of their sandbox.

The word blowout is a very overused term, but to describe the beatdown the Los Angeles Lakers put on the New Orleans Pelicans is likened to the Lakers opening up a new G’ League franchise because they took ownership of the Pelicans, the building and the spirit of the crowd in less than four minutes flat.

The Los Angeles Lakers committed assault and battery to the New Orleans Pelicans 123-108. It wasn’t even that close. The Lakers’ biggest lead of the game was 40 points.

The next game is against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, and if the Lakers play as they did against the Pels, just mark a win in the win column now.

The good of the Los Angeles Lakers win:

The start of the first quarter!

“Land of the freeeeeeeeeeee….and the home of the braveeeeeeeeeeeee”  

The Los Angeles Lakers got spotted the first 14 points of the game racing off to an almost too easy 14-0 lead before Pelicans coach Willie Green called time out. Can’t say it was suitable for the Pelicans fans, who traditionally stand up until the home team scores.

The second time out, New Orleans called when the Lakers ballooned the lead out to 29-11.

• At the end of the first quarter: 39-24.
• Halftime:  75-40.
• At the end of the third quarter: Like does it matter? The game was over when it was 14-0!

Malik Beasley…

Malik Beasley had a very sluggish four games shooting only 5-for-23 from the land of the extra point. Umm… he woke up. Like really woke up. He shot 3-for-4 from the 3-point line in the 1st quarter alone. He had 21 points in the first half on seven (Yes we checked!) SEVEN 3-point shots.

With that look on his face, hopefully, he didn’t read some nasty comments on social media from Lakers fans. You have time to delete them and save face. He hit almost half of the Lake Show’s franchise record 15 three-point shots.

Malik finished with 24 points. When the Pelicans made a run, Beasley’s 3-point play stemmed the tide. When this guy is on…this happens every time!

Anthony Davis had a positive workout!

After scoring just 25 points over the last two games, Anthony Davis picked this game to work out the kinks in his game. He dropped 14 points in the first quarter on his way to 20 points by halftime. He shot 7-9 from the field, improved his free throw shooting and had 8 rebounds which is impressive considering how his teammates were shooting the lights out.

He finished with 35 points and 17 rebounds. This was cardio for this guy and he dominated the game on the defensive end.

The Los Angeles Lakers players had their own Mardi Gras party in this game!

NBA teams are scary when they enjoy playing with each other. This Lakers team LOVES playing for one another and the bench is like happy hour. Did anyone see this at the start of the season? To the one’s who did…stop lying!

The bad of the Los Angeles Lakers win:

Nothing!

If anyone has any complaints about this one, they did not watch the game. This game was so dominant that the broadcast team of the Pelicans at times were talking about how good this Los Angeles Lakers team was.

Nobody got hurt… so nope!

The story of the Los Angeles Lakers win (At the end of the season!):

How will LeBron James fit in with this new bunch?

Obviously, there’s no story for the Lakers if they beat opponents by 100 points, so let’s discuss something more interesting shall we? LeBron James has been spotted in athletic gear instead of street clothes.

This writer has covered this team for a while and knows the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to allow video of this guy working out unless they want to send a message. LeBron James is officially out of his boot and is working his way back to the hardwood.

Assuming that he does, the question will be? How will he fit into the system with these new players that can carry their own weight?

Let’s be clear here. The Los Angeles Lakers moved the ball around like the Golden State Warriors when they had Kevin Durant. Malik Beasley was knocking down shots because he had three days to shot because the Pelicans couldn’t keep up.

Now that D’Angelo Russell is the point guard that run the offense, the Lakers no longer need LeBron James to dominate the ball and make plays for everyone. He can play off the ball and more importantly, pace himself to get in playoff shape when the Lakers make the postseason.

LeBron is going to have to adjust to D’Lo running the offense because right now it works. Check out Derek Fisher’s breakdown on the new offensive efficiency under Russell.

If LeBron James can get with the program that Darvin Ham has set up offensively and defensively, the Lakers are officially the team that no one wants to see in the playoffs.