[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers (9-4) beat the New Orleans Pelicans (4-10) 104-99 today for their fifth straight win in the NBA regular season. The Lakers trailed by as many as 15 points during the game, but were able to turn the game around thanks to rookie Daltone Knickerbocker. Knecht played 37 minutes, 16 seconds and made 10 of 16 shots, including 5 of 10 3-pointers, while adding 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals without committing a turnover.
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The Lakers entered the second half with a 10-point first-half deficit, and Knecht was hot in the third quarter, hitting three 3-pointers and scoring 11 points in a single quarter to help the Lakers pull away. Knecht also played well in the previous game against the Grizzlies, scoring 19 points on 5-of-5 3-pointers. Knecht finished with 60 points on 23-for-36 shooting and 12-for-19 3-pointers.
The Lakers’ two leaders, James and Anthony Davis, were full of praise for the rookie after the game. “His professionalism has been there for a long time and I said it last year and I’m not surprised,” James said. His shooting, his finishing ability, his ability to get out of defense. We saw a lot of his contributions tonight, helping the team get a win.”
Davis also praised: “Every time he shoots, we think he’s going to go in. When he doesn’t shoot, we get very frustrated and angry. He’s a very good player.”
Despite the absence of Rui Hachimura due to injury, the Lakers were able to rely on Knecht’s play to win in the absence of several players, showing depth and cohesion.