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Victor Petkov
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Lakers net 51 in second quarter for 139-122 Pelicans win
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Russell and Reaves were dominant from beyond the arc

Led by D’Angelo Russell’s 30 points and Austin Reaves’ 27, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a commanding 139-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, fueled by a remarkable 51-point second quarter. The dynamic guard duo of Russell and Reaves connected on nine 3-pointers, while Anthony Davis contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists. LeBron James also played a pivotal role with 21 points and 14 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 21 points.

This win marked the Lakers’ fourth in their last five games, propelling them to a 6-3 record since January 25. The Lakers’ explosive second quarter tied a franchise record for any period, and their 87 points in the first half were just two shy of the franchise mark set in 1987.

Despite a strong effort from Zion Williamson, who scored 30 points with nine rebounds, and Brandon Ingram’s 22 points, the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak came to an end. CJ McCollum contributed 19 points, Herbert Jones had 13, and Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Pelicans, now 1-1 on a four-game road trip, previously defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106 on Wednesday.

After trailing 39-36 in a high-scoring first quarter, the Lakers seized control in the second, with Russell scoring 14 consecutive points. The Lakers shot an impressive 68.2 percent from the field in the period, heading into halftime with an 87-74 lead. Although the Pelicans narrowed the gap to three in the third quarter, the Lakers extended their lead to 115-102 by the end of the quarter.

Russell, who scored 16 points in the second quarter, added eight more in the third. The Lakers dominated in the fourth quarter, securing the victory with only eight turnovers. Los Angeles played without Cam Reddish (ankle), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), and Max Christie (ankle).

The Lakers now hold a 2-1 advantage in the season series against the Pelicans, with the final matchup scheduled for the last day of the regular season for both teams.