It wasn't a nailbiter, it wasn't a disaster, it wasn't a dominant performance. The Lakers came to play, but they didn't necessarily play well. Final score against a very, very bad New Orleans team, 118-104.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers in scoring, with 31 points, using 13 trips to the free throw line to push the attack. Luka Dončić wasn't efficient (6-16) but did finish with 24 points and a healthy 12 assists against three turnovers. Deandre Ayton (10-11, 20 points, 16 rebounds with a two steals and a block) was probably the team's most consistent player.

The Lakers certainly got the job done, but what looked in the first 12 minutes or so like it would be a very strong performance where they put the Pelicans away early became something different. New Orleans went on a couple big runs fueled by 3-pointers, and the Lakers seemed to fall in and out of rhythm offensively.

All in all, a far better effort than the opening game of the trip in Atlanta, and you could argue the hot start letting them play from way ahead makes it better than the Charlotte game. But they'll need more to beat Milwaukee on Saturday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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