LAKERS LACKLUSTRE IN WIN

LA extend streak to 5 victories but James, coach admit they made it hard for themselves

Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick did not mince his words despite his team winning their National Basketball Association (NBA) game on Nov 16.

Anthony Davis had 31 points and 14 rebounds and LeBron James added 21 points to spark the Lakers over the New Orleans Pelicans 104-99 on the road.

Los Angeles, who also got 27 points from Dalton Knecht, stretched their NBA winning streak to five games and grabbed a share of third in the Western Conference at 9-4, despite James not managing a fifth consecutive triple-double.

But it was not an easy victory, as the Pelicans once led by 15 points before the visitors fought back in the second half.

Speaking after the game, Redick was asked what he changed defensively for his team in the third and fourth periods.

"There wasn't an adjustment defensively in the second half, it was just get the (expletive) ball," he said briefly. "We clearly don't like to make it easy."

James finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Brandon Ingram had 32 points for the Pelicans in a losing cause.