One mistake sent the Lakers into a freefall Saturday, zapping their positive momentum and ending their five-game road trip on a sour note.
After leading for all but one possession through three quarters, a Lakers turnover triggered the Pelicans and led New Orleans to a 131-126 win.
The Lakers controlled the game until a disastrous five seconds to end the third quarter. Russell Westbrook took his eye off CJ McCollum, and McCollum drove easily to the basket for a score.
Then on the ensuing inbounds, Wenyen Gabriel threw a brutal cross-court pass that McCollum tipped and Jose Alvarado intercepted. Alvarado then hit a three to cut the Lakers’ lead to three, 106-103, igniting the crowd as the game headed into the fourth quarter.
The Pelicans quickly went on an 11-2 run to start the fourth to lead by six. The Lakers never led again.
Anthony Davis scored 34 — but had just two points in the fourth. LeBron James scored 27 and Westbrook, who was questionable until game time because of an illness, had 15. James is now 36 points from breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record.
The Lakers went 2-3 on their road trip, with New Orleans having a 10-game losing streak.
Former Lakers forward Brandon Ingram had 35 points.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.