In the blink of an eye, the Los Angeles Lakers look like a legitimate franchise again.
With three years of futility in the rearview mirror, the Lakers (6-4) earned a 126-99 win against the hapless New Orleans Pelicans on the road on Saturday. Point guard D'Angelo Russell has gone from underperforming to budding star virtually overnight, and the rest of Los Angeles' guards are feeding off his stellar play.
Russell scored 22 points with six assists Saturday and has now reached double-digit points in nine of his 10 games this season. Shooting guard Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score a team-high 23 points and Lou Williams added 21 points off the bench.
Nick Young drew the start at shooting guard and went 5 of 7 from 3-point range to finish the game with 15 points. Rookie Brandon Ingram, who also plays on the wing, added 10 points.
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On a night when Anthony Davis scored 34 points with eight rebounds and two blocks to become the first player in NBA history to record 300 points, 100 rebounds and 30 blocks in his team's first 10 games of the season (blocks became official in the 1973-74 season), the Lakers still stole the show.
Studs of the night
Jimmy Butler helped the Chicago Bulls topple the Washington Wizards 106-95 at home by pouring in 37 points with eight rebounds and nine assists. The near triple-double was highlighted by a perfect 14 for 14 from the free throw line.
In a losing effort, Houston Rockets guard James Harden posted his second straight triple-double, both against the San Antonio Spurs. The first time, Harden helped his team win. This time, however, his 25 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists weren't enough.
DeMar DeRozan continued his astronomical scoring streak by putting up 33 points in a 118-107 win against the New York Knicks. DeRozan became the first player with at least 30 points in eight of his first nine games of a season since Michael Jordan in 1986-87.
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Duds of the night
The Minnesota Timberwolves (2-6) were supposed to be one of the up-and-coming teams this season led by two different, but talented, floor generals. So far, both Ricky Rubio and rookie Kris Dunn have left a lot to be desired.
Rubio started Saturday's 119-105 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers and produced just seven points and six assists. Dunn didn't fare much better, mustering just three points in 19 minutes.
Highlight
Layups aren't free when the "Greek Freak" is on the court:
Super Giannis comes in to save the day!! #OwnTheFuture https://t.co/mAS0UMiRUE
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 13, 2016
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished the game with 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks in a 106-96 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
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What's Next:
Hornets (6-2) at Cavaliers (7-1) 3:30 p.m. ET — Cleveland's "Big Three" hosts Charlotte's balanced attack led by fearless point guard Kemba Walker. A lot of people are asking if the Hornets are for real. A win against the defending champions would prove they are.