NEW ORLEANS —
D’Angelo Russell walked to the bench in the first quarter, goading the New Orleans crowd to jeer.
The Lakers guard had just gotten tangled up with Pelicans’ fan favorite and All-NBA pest Jose Alvarado, the two players both being called for technical fouls.
The crowd loved it.
As Alvarado led a New Orleans second-half comeback, the fiery guard jawed right at Russell every time he beat him off the dribble, every time he made the right pass or hit the big shot.
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But with Alvarado stuck at the table watching, Russell stood open in front of the Pelicans bench.