NEW ORLEANS — The formidable duo that is LeBron James and Luka Doncic carried the Lakers across the finish line again.
James scored 30 points, Doncic capped his 30-point, 10-assist performance with a pair of off-balance, bail-out 3-pointers as the shot clock wound down, and the Lakers held off the reeling New Orleans Pelicans, 111-103, on Tuesday night.
Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who won for the fourth time in their past five games while sending the Pelicans to their eighth straight loss.
Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41 points, Zion Williamson scored 15 and rookie Derik Queen had 10 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which led by as many as nine points late in the third quarter.
The Lakers opened the fourth quarter on an 18-4 run that included two deep 3-pointers by James, a 3-pointer by Dalton Knecht and a pair of baskets in the paint by Ayton. The surge gave the Lakers a 97-90 lead, and the Pelicans could not get closer than four after that.
Neither team led by more than seven until Karlo Matkovic’s free throws gave New Orleans an 83-74 lead late in the third quarter.
James’ three free throws and breakaway dunk quickly trimmed the Lakers’ deficit to four before Murphy, who had 20 points in the third quarter, hit a driving reverse scoop as he was fouled to make it 86-79 heading to the final period.
Herb Jones, returning from a right ankle injury that has sidelined him seven games, struggled with his shooting, missing eight of nine shots. The Pelicans missed five of their 18 free throws, with Williamson missing four.
The Lakers also finished shooting 50.6% (43 for 85). The Pelicans shot 44% overall (40 for 91) and just 10 for 40 from 3-point range.
UP NEXT
The Lakers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PT.