James forgoes the gritty two-pointer! Lakers stage a comeback against the Pelicans, James had a dunk fest today.

Today, the Lakers hosted the Pelicans. The Lakers kept their prior starting lineup, while the Pelicans presented their fittest lineup with all injured players returning. Their starters were: Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Saddiq Bey, Zion, and Herbert Jones.

After the opening tip, the Lakers' first score was a Dončić three-pointer. The other team responded with 4 consecutive points, and Ayton's floater bounced in.

The Pelicans had an easy dunk, then after a Reaves steal, James finished with a coast-to-coast fast-break dunk!

Reaves made both free throws, James sank a three-pointer. Over the last two games, James has gone 7 for 10 from beyond the arc.

The Pelicans went on an 8-0 run, forcing a timeout. The Lakers still couldn't score, Zion scored inside, Ayton fumbled the ball out of bounds again and was substituted out.

Hayes made both free throws, Zion dunked, Hayes scored on a layup, and Dončić got his first and-one.

The Pelicans continued with dunks, scoring 4 straight points, while LaVioleta and Kennard both hit three-pointers.

DeAndre Jordan scored inside, Dončić hit a jump shot, Quinn made both free throws, James checked in and delivered a fast-break dunk! He even flashed a peace sign!

The opponents hit a three, Kennard made a mid-range shot, the Pelicans capitalized on a Lakers turnover for a fast break. At the end of the first quarter, Lakers trailed 31-33. James had 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Dončić 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Reaves 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists; Ayton 2 points, rebounds; Kennard 5 points; LaVioleta 3 points; Hayes 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist.

In the second quarter, Zion drew free throws first, then James threw down another alley-oop dunk!

LeBron made both free throws, the Lakers got another steal and fast break, James was on the floor but still managed to finish with a dunk!

James converted an and-one, he scored 9 consecutive points, all of the Lakers' second-quarter points came from LeBron!

Ayton received a pass from James but fumbled it out of bounds again.

Next possession, he finally dunked it home. The Lakers went on an 11-0 run, forcing a Pelicans timeout.

James went to the bench for a rest. Hayes grabbed an offensive board and scored on the putback, which was still better than Ayton's play.

Dončić hit a three-pointer, giving the Lakers a double-digit lead.

The Pelicans scored 7 straight points. James returned, and the offense flowed much better. Ayton scored an easy two, then assisted Dončić on a layup, prompting a Pelicans timeout.

The Lakers went scoreless for over two minutes, while the Pelicans scored 4 in a row. Dončić made one of two free throws, got a technical foul, the opponents hit a three, Dončić made a mid-range shot. At halftime, Lakers led 54-51. James: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Dončić: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Reaves: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Ayton: 6 points, 6 rebounds; Kennard: 5 points; Hayes: 6 points, 3 rebounds; LaVioleta: 3 points.

Third quarter, the Pelicans tried to iso against James. Where did that confidence come from?

The Pelicans scored first, then James assisted Smart on a three-pointer.

Ayton dunked, the opponents hit a three, Dončić scored on a fast break.

Smart got another steal, James slammed it home, forcing a Pelicans timeout.

The Pelicans went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. Reaves missed consecutive shots, now 0 for 8. The Lakers committed 8 turnovers in half a quarter. Reaves finally scored.

Dončić turned the ball over on a dribble, and the opponents showcased a dunk.

Kennard hit a three to tie the game. Whenever he shoots, it feels reliable.

The Lakers entered the fourth quarter trailing 76-78. James assisted LaVioleta to tie the game.

LeBron made one of two free throws, the opponents hit a three, Ayton tied it with a floater.

The Pelicans scored 4 straight points, Smart made a floater, the Pelicans scored inside, Ayton got an and-one.

Ayton defended Zion and received a technical foul. On the Lakers' side, Dončić, Reaves, and Ayton all got technicals.

The Pelicans went on a 7-0 run in one minute, prompting a Lakers timeout. Hayes dunked, Reaves hit a three!

LeBron missed both free throws, Reaves missed an easy shot, a shame. Smart made both free throws, Reaves hit a three, Dončić made a floater. The Lakers went on a 12-0 run to retake the lead!

Reaves seemed to hurt his wrist a bit. The Lakers called a timeout to let him recover, and he continued playing.

Lakers fast break, James gladly accepted the two points.

The Pelicans scored 4 straight points, Dončić made both free throws, the Pelicans turned it over, Smart hit a crucial three-pointer, leading to a timeout. That shot should have been a four-point play.

Zion was blocked by Smart, Dončić hit a key three-pointer, extending the Lakers' lead to 10 points.

The opponents scored an and-one, Reaves was intentionally fouled and made both free throws. The Pelicans still couldn't score, the Lakers launched a fast break, and James surprisingly gave up the attack, forgoing the gritty two-pointer? Unwise move (just kidding).

The final score was Lakers 110, Pelicans 101. James: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks; Dončić: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists; Smart: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks; Ayton: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks; Reaves: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks; Hayes: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; Kennard: 9 points, 2 rebounds; Hachimura: 2 points, 2 rebounds; LaVioleta: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists.

Full game stats: