After sprinting out to another substantial first quarter lead, the New Orleans Pelicans faced collapse yet again, at the hands of Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers.
A 29-5 run gave the Lakers a 103-99 lead early in the fourth, and transition offense and defense was again a problem for the Pelicans in the Staples Center.
But just when the bandwagon set aflame, and fans began leaping out of the New Orleans basketball doldrums forever, and unfamiliar hand reached out and reeled us back in.
The calm and steadying hand of newly appointed floor general, Jameer Nelson, righted the ship, leading the Pelicans to a 119-112 victory, moments after coughing up what climaxed as a 22-point lead.