Lakers beat Pelicans, advance to face Nuggets in the playoffs
Published in Basketball
NEW ORLEANS — D’Angelo Russell walked to the bench in the first quarter, goading the New Orleans crowd to jeer.
The Lakers guard had just gotten tangled up with Pelicans’ fan favorite and All-NBA pest Jose Alvarado, the two players both being called for technical fouls.
The crowd loved it.
As Alvarado led a New Orleans second-half comeback, the fiery guard jawed right at Russell every time he beat him off the dribble, every time he made the right pass or hit the big shot.
But with Alvarado stuck at the table watching, Russell stood open in front of the Pelicans bench. And as Austin Reaves kicked the ball to Russell, he had a chance for revenge.
He got it.
Russell’s huge corner 3 and two Anthony Davis free throws after an offensive rebound were the big plays in the big moments, the Lakers advancing to the playoffs with a 110-106 win in the play-in game at Smoothie King Arena.
The Lakers will get Denver in the first round beginning on Saturday, a Western Conference finals rematch from a year ago.
Zion Williamson, a thorn in the Lakers' side all game, exited late after 40 points because of an injury.
Davis and Austin Reaves made six free throws in the final minute to hold the Pelicans off.
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