Pelicans get first win with Cousins
LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Davis scored 31 points and collected nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 105-97 on Sunday night at Staples Center.
DeMarcus Cousins finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out with 1:55 remaining. However, Cousins experienced his first win in five tries with the Pelicans (25-38) since being obtained from the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 20.
Jrue Holiday had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for New Orleans. E'Twaun Moore added 13 points.
Nick Young scored 19 points for the Lakers (19-44), who lost their seventh in a row. D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram contributed 16 points apiece and Jordan Clarkson chipped in 14.
Los Angeles sliced New Orleans' double-digit lead to 97-96 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Russell with 3:40 remaining. Julius Randle made one of two foul shots to tie the score at 97 with 1:55 left, but a Davis jumper 11 seconds later gave the edge back to the Pelicans.
Holiday's 3-pointer increased the lead to 102-97 with 54 seconds left. The Lakers never scored again.
The Lakers led 59-55 at the break. Nine Lakers, with Young leading the way with nine, scored in the second quarter as they put 39 points to 29 for the Pelicans.
The Lakers committed 25 turnovers (leading to 24 points) in the game to 13 (13 points) for the Pelicans.
In the third quarter, the Pelicans seized the control. Two free throws by Holiday initiated a 17-6 run and boosted New Orleans to an 83-73 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The Pelicans outscored the Lakers 28-14 in the third.
NOTES: Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said again his club remains a work in progress incorporating All-Star C DeMarcus Cousins in the mix. "He's been great because one of the things he says is 'You guys have to play your game, I'll be OK and I'll be able to fit in,' and he has been able to do that," Gentry said. "Like I said, it's just a process that we'd like to expedite, but it's just not something you can do and do it in one, two, three, four games." ... Lakers backup C Ivica Zubac (right quad contusion) missed the game. ... Pelicans reserve C Omer Asik (undisclosed illness) sat out his ninth consecutive game. ... Lakers F Corey Brewer celebrated his 31st birthday. ... New Orleans visits the Utah Jazz on Monday. ... Los Angeles plays host to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.