NEW ORLEANS — One mistake sent the Lakers into a freefall Saturday, zapping their positive momentum and ending their five-game road trip on a sour note.
After leading for all but one possession through three quarters, a Lakers turnover triggered the Pelicans and led New Orleans to a 131-126 win.
The Lakers controlled the game until a disastrous five seconds to end the third quarter. Russell Westbrook took his eye off C.J. McCollum, and McCollum drove easily to the basket for a score.
Then on the ensuing inbounds, Wenyen Gabriel threw a brutal cross-court pass that McCollum tipped and Jose Alvarado intercepted. Alvarado then hit a 3 to cut the Lakers’ lead to three, 106-103, igniting the crowd as the game headed to the fourth quarter.
The Pelicans quickly went on an 11-2 run to start the fourth to lead by six. The Lakers never led again.
Anthony Davis scored 34 — but had just two points in the fourth. LeBron James scored 27, leaving him 36 points away from breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring mark, and Westbrook, who was questionable until game time because of an illness, had 15.
The Lakers went 2-3 on their road trip, the loss to New Orleans snapping the Pelicans’ 10-game losing streak.
Former Lakers forward Brandon Ingram had 35 points.
