The Los Angeles Lakers made a strong statement on Tuesday night as they took down the New Orleans Pelicans, 123-108, without LeBron James.
This was an important win for the Lakers, who are fighting hard to earn their way into the playoffs in a few weeks.
While it was Anthony Davis and his 35 points and 17 rebounds that did the most work for the Lakers, he was tremendously assisted by one of the team’s newest stars.
Malik Beasley scored 24 points and went 7-of-12 from the three-point line.
Ballislife.com stated that this means Beasley has joined Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice as the only Lakers to make seven three-points in a single half.
Malik Beasley joins Kobe & Glen Rice as the only Lakers to make 7 threes in a single half!
21 PTS | 7/10 3PTSpic.twitter.com/Ffae325p1m
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 15, 2023
Beasley did this in the first half of the victory against the Pelicans, scoring all of his treys before halftime.
This was just the latest impressive showing from the star player, who came to Los Angeles at the trade deadline last month.
Since joining the Lakers, Beasley has averaged 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
More importantly, he has also posted 2.8 threes a game on a 35.6% three-point percentage.
If that number holds, it will put Beasley behind only D’Angelo Russell for the season, who is averaging 2.9 threes a game.
When the Lakers added Beasley, they knew that he could be just the sort of boost the team needed.
He is a skilled role player who is often very dangerous from downtown and that part of the court has been a problem area for the Lakers all season long.
Beasley has been with the Lakers for 13 games now and started in 11 of them.
If he continues to play as he did on Tuesday, he might be a full-time starter.
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