Los angeles lakers did their part, beating the New Orleans Pelicans by 110-98, but they will have to gamble in the play-in this week if they want to play the playoffs of the season. Portland’s victory over Denver brings the Angelenos to seventh place in the Western Conference.
This time it was out of the control of the Frank vogel, which made a serious game, knowing that victory was essential. However, the Angelenos did not depend only on themselves and with an eye on the other duel, they saw how his triumph was in vain.
Lebron James He led the Lakers game, finishing as the top scorer with 25 points and 6 assists, in one more sample that he is fully recovered from the Ankle injury that has made him miss almost 30 games.
He also played minutes Anthony Davis, who was more discreet about his statistics, but will reach the play-in in top form after having been on leave even longer than LeBron James.
Frank Vogel took the opportunity to make a rotation long with minutes for many of his players and tried different combinations on the court, thinking about possible scenarios against his rival next Tuesday, the Warriors.
The Spanish Marc Gasol was the substitute with the most minutes, 27, and scored 3 points accompanied by 7 sacks on the boards and 4 assists. In front of him he had his teammate, Willy Hernangómezwhich was the highlight of the Pelicans.
Without Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson, the Spaniard took his opportunity to shine and ended the match with 19 points and 13 rebounds, both highs for his team against the Lakers.
The Angelenos, who started the game with an advantage and increased it after passing through the changing rooms, rotated thinking about the key duel that they will play this week and that will put his entire season into play.
For the Pelicans it was the last game of the course, already eliminated from the playoff match. New Orleans will come back stronger next year but will have to surround Williamson better if it wants to qualify for the postseason rather than disappoint like this year.