The 77th game of New Orleans’ 82-game regular season schedule brought a playoff feel to it from the opening tip in Los Angeles, an atmosphere that traveled 1,900 miles east to multiple Friday watch parties in the Crescent City. At gatherings normally not seen until the NBA postseason, fans chanted “Beat LA!” and “Sweep LA!” – as well as perhaps a few Lakers-specific chants not suitable for a family website.
Around midnight, Pelicans fans were ecstatic to see their team ultimately pull off a dramatic, 114-111 victory over the Lakers, capping a 3-0 sweep of the season series.