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The Lakers return to winning ways against the Pelicans just before the All-Star break.
The Los Angeles Lakers recorded a 120-102 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans in the early hours of Thursday, February 16, 2023.
The Lakers had a full team for the first time since their blockbuster acquisitions at the NBA trade deadline.
At the trade deadline, the Lakers sent guard Russell Westbrook, forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, center Damian Jones and a protected first-round pick to Utah and a future second-round pick to Minnesota.
The Lakers acquired guard D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves, guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Utah Jazz.
All three new players were named in the starting lineup along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers were fluid on offense to produce a 38-point first quarter and establish a 13-point lead.
The Pelicans without star player Zion Williamson bounced back with huge stops on the defensive end to hold the Lakers to just 17 points in the second quarter.
Davis was productive as the Lakers would still go the halftime break with a four-point lead.
The Lakers came back from the back with a good offensive flow and were able to produce a 34-point third quarter to increase the lead to 14.
The Pelicans started the fourth quarter on a run but the Lakers would hold on to record a 14-point victory.
LeBron James returns to the Lakers
Lakers superstar LeBron James made his return to the court for the first time in five games against the Pelcians.
James was last in action in the Lakers' loss at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In the loss, James scored 38 points to set a new all-time scoring record in the NBA.
Since then, James missed the subsequent games against the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Portland TrailBlazers.
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James on his return against the Pelicans featured for 30 minutes and recorded 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one block.
The 20-year-old veteran made seven of his 14 shots, but struggled to make any of his five from three-point range but shot seven of 10 from the free throw line.
James will now captain Team LeBron at the 2022 NBA All-Star game before returning for the Lakers against the Warriors on Friday, February 24, 2023.
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