Lakers rally for 95-91 win over Pelicans

By Eric Pincus

Jan. 12, 2016 10:12 PM PT

The Lakers ended a four-game losing streak Tuesday, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center, 95-91.

Julius Randle snagged an offensive rebound after a Lou Williams miss and scored the game winner with a driving finger roll that gave the Lakers a 92-91 advantage with 43.3 seconds left.

Williams provided a slight cushion on the next possession with a floater. Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans missed a step-back three-point attempt and Randle’s final free throw gave the Lakers a four-point win.

The Pelicans led by as many as 10 points, but the Lakers rallied and D’Angelo Russell’s three-pointer with 9:19 left in the fourth gave them their first lead of the game.

Williams was the Lakers’ leading scorer with 19 points, despite hitting just four of 14 shots from the field. The veteran guard dished eight assists and hit 10 of 10 free throws.

Kobe Bryant started the game, after previously sitting out with a sore right Achilles’ tendon. He was able to play 16 first-half minutes, scoring seven points, but missed the second half to rest the tendon.

As a team, the Lakers shot just 36.8% from the field and 20.7% from three-point range (six for 29), but did a decent bit of damage to the Pelicans at the free-throw line with 32 attempts (making 25, 78.1%).

The Pelicans hit 41.8%, 26.1% (six for 23) and 64.3% (nine for 14), respectively. All-Star forward Anthony Davis sat with a sore back.

New Orleans was led by Evans’ 21 points. Ryan Anderson scored 15, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday added 14, Norris Cole had 11 and Alexis Ajinca finished with 10 points.

Omer Asik scored just one point but led both teams with 13 rebounds. Randle nabbed 11. Ajinca reached a double-double with 10.

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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant, right, shoots as Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham defends during the first half.