LeBron James (38 points) and Anthony Davis (23) return, but late execution issues prove costly in a 114-111 defeat that leaves them in dire straits with five games left.
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have long contended that as long as they’re healthy together, they can compete.
The Lakers missed six of their last eight attempts from the field, as the Pelicans surged late. The last Laker miss, an airball by James from his favorite spot from behind the 3-point arc, was a gut-punch to a shambling team that tried to gather itself for one final push with all of their key players.
Sending McCollum to the line was a tactical mistake: The Lakers screamed at Stanley Johnson to foul rookie Trey Murphy III on the Pelicans’ last possession, but Johnson simply defended, allowing New Orleans to get the ball to its most experienced shooter. James was surprisingly spry after a sprained ankle that he said “felt horrible” just five nights before and seemed to be stiff during his pre-game warm-ups. But the NBA’s scoring leader showcased some early burst on a transition dunk, out-running Herb Jones to the rim.
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