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Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Sport
Dan Woike

LeBron James is 36 points from scoring record after Lakers lose to Pelicans

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.

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