Lakers slump continues as home fans boo LeBron and Co in Los Angeles

CJ McCollum scored 22 points, Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Ingram added 19 apiece and the New Orleans Pelicans rolled to a 123-95 victory over the reeling Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

Fans at crypto.com Arena voiced their displeasure with boos for most of the second half. Russell Westbrook was asked after the game if he would take the sound of the boos home with him.

“Nah,” he said. “Take it home? For what? Shit. Take it home? I got three beautiful kids at my house. Why would I take it home? If they boo, they can take their ass home. I ain’t worried about that. It doesn’t bother me none.

“I can only answer if I take them home: No. But as for our team, I don’t think it’s something we got to deal with. And kind of move forward.”

The 28-point margin of victory was the largest in franchise history by the Pelicans over the Lakers, surpassing their 139-117 win in 2018.

McCollum has six straight 20-point games. He is averaging 28 points in his seven games with the Pelicans since being acquired from Portland on 8 February. He had nine points in the third quarter when New Orleans went on a 26-7 run over four-plus minutes to put the game away. Valanciunas also had 10 rebounds for his 37th double-double of the season, which is tied for third in the NBA.

Ingram, who played for the Lakers for three seasons, also had eight assists. He had six points during the last six minutes of the first half as the Pelicans went on a 17-4 run to grab a 51-37 lead with 35 seconds remaining. LeBron James banked in a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to pull the Lakers within 51-40 at halftime.

James led the Lakers with 32 points and Westbrook added 16. Los Angeles have dropped two straight and five of their last six to fall a season-worst