Lakers fade away in 109-102 loss to Pelicans

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, left, dunks over Lakers forward Carlos Boozer during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Jeremy Lin, right, drives to the basket in front of New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans, left, and guard Jrue Holiday during the first half of the Lakers’ 109-102 loss Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik , left, falls to the court while battle for a loose ball with Lakers forward Carlos Boozer during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant looks on from the bench during the final minute of a 109-102 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis falls to the floor while chasing a loose ball during the first half of Wednesday’s game against the Lakers. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, left, battles for a rebound against Lakers center Jordan Hill, middle, and forward Carlos Boozer during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, right, shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Austin Rivers during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, left, puts up a shot over New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik during the second half of the Lakers’ 109-102 loss Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, center, is unable to put up a shot as he drives between New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, right, and forward Ryan Anderson during the second half of the Lakers’ 109-102 loss Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans, center, drives to the basket in front of Lakers center Jordan Hill, left, and forward Carlos Boozer, right, during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Ronnie Price is called for a flagrant foul 2 while trying to block a shot by New Orleans Pelicans guard Austin Rivers during the second half of the Lakers’ 109-102 loss Wednesday. Price was ejected from the game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers center Jordan Hill, middle, battles under the basket with New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, left, and center Omer Asik during the first half of the Lakers’ 109-102 loss Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller, center, battles for a rebound with Lakers forward Xavier Henry, left, and guard Ronnie Price during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis dunks during the second half of a 109-102 win over the Lakers on Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Lakers Coach Byron Scott, right, and assistant coach Paul Pressey look on during the second half of a 109-102 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

By Eric Pincus

Nov. 12, 2014 7:32 PM PT

New Orleans Pelicans 109, Lakers 102 (Final)

The New Orleans Pelicans simply dominated during most of the second half Wednesday, in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.

Anthony Davis was star of the game, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Davis missed just four shots on 16 attempts in almost 37 minutes.

The Lakers shot 41.7% from the field, led by 33 from Kobe Bryant, but the bigger issue was on the defensive end.

The Pelicans shot 54.9% from the field and 42.1% from three-point range (8-19). Tyreke Evans notched a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists. Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson both scored 17.

New Orleans extended its lead to 23 in the second half, before the Lakers were able to make the score look respectable with the game already out of hand.

The Lakers attempted 21 three-pointers, making seven (33.3%). They also got to the line 32 times, to the Pelican’s 18.

Bryant played 36 1/2 minutes, hitting 10 of 28 shots (35.7%). Carlos Boozer scored 16, Jeremy Lin 15 and both Wesley Johnson and Jordan Hill scored 10. Anderson’s 17 points almost matched the 18 from the Lakers’ bench.

Veteran guard Ronnie Price was ejected in the fourth quarter for committing a flagrant 2 foul on Austin Rivers, son of Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

The Lakers (1-7), lost both road games on a two-game, two-night trip. They’ll return home to face the San Antonio Spurs (4-3) on Friday.

The Pelicans improve to 4-3. They’ll next host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-4), also on Friday.

Pelicans 85, Lakers 72 (end of third quarter)

The Pelicans asserted themselves against the Lakers in the third quarter, pulling ahead by 13.

Anthony Davis had 23 points with 11 rebounds for New Orleans. The Pelicans shot 56.9% from the field, getting 15 points from Tyreke Evans, 15 from Jrue Holiday and 11 from Ryan Anderson.

Kobe Bryant’s hot start evolved into a less efficient performance, with 25 points on 8-of-24 shooting (33.3%). The Lakers shot 40.3% as a team with eight turnovers.

Carlos Boozer added 11 for the Lakers and Wesley Johnson scored 10.

Pelicans 51, Lakers 48 (halftime)

The Lakers had made a late push to take the lead in the first quarter; the Pelicans returned the favor in the second.

New Orleans turned a 46-41 deficit with 3:40 on the clock to a 51-46 lead with 3.4 seconds left, on a 10-0 run. Wesley Johnson hit a jumper at the buzzer to get the Lakers within three at the half.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 16 points, but only added two points in the second quarter.

Carlos Boozer contributed 11 as the Lakers shot 42.6% from three-point range. The team turned the ball over just four times and attempted only six free throws (making five).

New Orleans forward Anthony Davis scored 13 points. Tyreke Evans added 11 with five assists and four rebounds.

Ryan Anderson sparked the New Orleans run with nine points off the bench. New Orleans shot 48.8% from the field with six turnovers and 10 free throw attempts (hitting seven).

Lakers 25, Pelicans 23 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers started slowly, didn’t shoot very well, but finished the first quarter with a two-point lead behind 14 points from Kobe Bryant.

New Orleans took a 21-14 advantage with 3 1/2 minutes left in the period. Bryant converted three shots from long range; Jordan Hill collected a put back Bryant miss and the Lakers had notched 11 points in just 2 1/2 minutes.

The Lakers shot just 34.6% from the field to the Pelicans’ 50.0%. Anthony Davis led New Orleans with eight points.

Wesley Johnson scored five for the Lakers.

Pregame

The Lakers (1-6) play their second game in as many nights, visiting the New Orleans Pelicans (3-3).

After a close loss on Tuesday to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers need a win in New Orleans. The Lakers will need to survive Anthony Davis, who has emerged as arguably the top power forward in the NBA.

The Lakers will play without Ryan Kelly (hamstring), Wayne Ellington (personal matter), Julius Randle (leg), Steve Nash (back) and Nick Young (thumb).

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.